tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25570749915321095462023-11-16T12:03:28.802-05:00Heart and Sole FoodOrganic farming and cookingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-17992070217712862692016-06-28T18:32:00.001-04:002016-06-28T18:34:27.947-04:00Departing Gift: An Heirloom Bean Mystery<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, I learned this would be my last <i>Heart & Sole Food </i>blog post for the <i>Observer. </i>As I pondered what to write, I revisited my first post, <a href="http://heartandsolefood.blogspot.com/2014/02/breaking-ground.html">Breaking Ground</a> for<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> inspiration<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW5Lw7zblKOH509QlHzzRmKwGev8aR9_phldwH4QKR01KEaGiQ1OFPp2Jdptk-eWUjBzl209jwsB29LaWDUOI1r2gyrvE1RfG6nNAzmm1iO2684wqraLrrmMMrakr7_ZiXdvxnm0c8YM/s1600/heartsolesign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW5Lw7zblKOH509QlHzzRmKwGev8aR9_phldwH4QKR01KEaGiQ1OFPp2Jdptk-eWUjBzl209jwsB29LaWDUOI1r2gyrvE1RfG6nNAzmm1iO2684wqraLrrmMMrakr7_ZiXdvxnm0c8YM/s320/heartsolesign.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although</span> I still can not explain why<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, in 2008, Richard and I broke ground to g<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">arden, as I walk through my home, I <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">see</span> stocked pantry shelves, loaded freezer racks and boxes <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and jars of dried heirloom seeds and I am thankful<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, not just for food, but for other <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gifts our small farm gives us. Physical work <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that stren<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gthens </span>aging bodies<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lessons taught by our grandparents that emerge from forgotten memory banks. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Visceral connections to nature <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that clarify our own mortality. An ever-changing kalei<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">doscope of be<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">auty<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun_9KRGtl2XCUpIGnB8CBz-eoZOjKxz88Yta1Iknb4uV_OKIhWwzjER6vhvL1x1hY3boTNkXxBU2DP9ei3p4xqu8-svZ6_r1A7CKCtKtrRuineF6Qz56RxIqMLu8gX1zREdhbQo2v0co/s1600/daffodil+spider+bee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun_9KRGtl2XCUpIGnB8CBz-eoZOjKxz88Yta1Iknb4uV_OKIhWwzjER6vhvL1x1hY3boTNkXxBU2DP9ei3p4xqu8-svZ6_r1A7CKCtKtrRuineF6Qz56RxIqMLu8gX1zREdhbQo2v0co/s320/daffodil+spider+bee.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spider eating bee in <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">farm's old homeplace daffodil</span></span></td></tr>
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Fresh air to breathe. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life-affirming sunli<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ght and rain. For these things and more, we are grateful.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I end this writing chapter, I thank each of you who contacted me via emails, texts, telephone calls and mailed notes and I appreciate the encouragement, advice and inspiration you shared. I leave you with a mystery story . . .</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lQ2JtyeebbmDtr-hrhBShhwuFeG40PX02GcEAlrUmi80knMMS7iVwssloRJ1s6_UJ7pbo3zQ-bS2W4Xf4PIcjJSUGrwIlgC_yKYPNcCk69XopPWRfw9cLx12SNrnMn2hgnCriAR2Lu4/s1600/Pat+Beans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lQ2JtyeebbmDtr-hrhBShhwuFeG40PX02GcEAlrUmi80knMMS7iVwssloRJ1s6_UJ7pbo3zQ-bS2W4Xf4PIcjJSUGrwIlgC_yKYPNcCk69XopPWRfw9cLx12SNrnMn2hgnCriAR2Lu4/s320/Pat+Beans.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recently, my</span> cousin, Pat Rhea, called and asked if I would like to have some heirloom seeds her mother saved more than ten years ago. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pat delivered </span>bean seeds and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">we</span> identified White Mountain Half Runners, a productive family staple <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">brought</span> from Germany with <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">our</span> great-great-great grandmother, Polly Schmidt B<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ean</span>. As far as the second variety, Pat guessed they could be Greasy beans, so called because they have a sl<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ick pod surface.</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regardless of <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">species</span></span>, Pat's heirloom seeds <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are</span> welcome additions and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">will connect past with present and, h<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">opeful<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ly, the future.</span></span></span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWVBaOkmz5WKf72LSg9QalBORIovrXLhwYTgr7YO8HPPZqP6t7u9JY-L0mQBLPXccRZT8crQ2PGuD_9_7q7awl3GZTbh_CZNdGByNgdzEhjB7bkdYsVa-lbsK0UrsNkKDJnIdG4cOO2Q/s1600/Polly+Bean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWVBaOkmz5WKf72LSg9QalBORIovrXLhwYTgr7YO8HPPZqP6t7u9JY-L0mQBLPXccRZT8crQ2PGuD_9_7q7awl3GZTbh_CZNdGByNgdzEhjB7bkdYsVa-lbsK0UrsNkKDJnIdG4cOO2Q/s320/Polly+Bean.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heirloom Seed Saver Polly Schmidt Bean</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For those who wish to receive an email update about future farm blogs, send your request to: <a href="mailto:cindybarlowe@gmail.com">me</a></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Gardening!<br /> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-10633282430302099092016-06-20T18:40:00.000-04:002016-06-20T18:40:49.171-04:00In His Hands: Local Food, Local Chefs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After last summer's abun<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dant pepper harvest</span></span>, <a href="http://heartandsolefood.blogspot.com/2014/11/piquillos-little-beak-with-big-bite.html">Piquillos: The Little Beak With a Big Bite</a> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided to</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">deliver </span>Piquillos to three local chefs and ask these talented young men to offer opinions about the fruit and tips for using them. The results were delicious. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KKgX5V5sMZWHFcA_jnZXhQS32vYSy2Tbr3T-V2U44VmMCOkY_5TOBrHOkSzIybf4SxptnwXXxTqJojVP8S46nkA5MtmU99TRsPzSZsum8TUN1tHFF3s8qbBO0h8JOACZM2FeTt_GXp0/s1600/Sam+Ratchford+Hands.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KKgX5V5sMZWHFcA_jnZXhQS32vYSy2Tbr3T-V2U44VmMCOkY_5TOBrHOkSzIybf4SxptnwXXxTqJojVP8S46nkA5MtmU99TRsPzSZsum8TUN1tHFF3s8qbBO0h8JOACZM2FeTt_GXp0/s320/Sam+Ratchford+Hands.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chef Sam Ratchford holds Piquillo Peppers</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">C</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">hef Sam Ratchford, of Vidalia Restaurant in Boone, NC, was<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the</span> first chef customer for Heart & Sole Gardens and he never fail</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">s to showcase local ingredients in interesting and tasty dishes. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For some of the Piquillos, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chef Sam roasted and then stuff</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ed them with local goat cheese and Watauga County cou</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ntry ham</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">; with the rem</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">aining fruit, he pickled them in a sweet brine.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURG97dVDsXxrNM5Tzaro_aOFvuP2nXCrm8mrgISIhyphenhypheno2F73UhuhWXzGY7Vc8AyxrzSxMIoJb7Ci1VjzjyDLQsSXR2yLPrzQtdCKmX3Y1tRL11v0So5n49kaynxAadwoe9IoYi3TmnIIQ/s1600/Kyle%2527s+pepper+dish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURG97dVDsXxrNM5Tzaro_aOFvuP2nXCrm8mrgISIhyphenhypheno2F73UhuhWXzGY7Vc8AyxrzSxMIoJb7Ci1VjzjyDLQsSXR2yLPrzQtdCKmX3Y1tRL11v0So5n49kaynxAadwoe9IoYi3TmnIIQ/s320/Kyle%2527s+pepper+dish.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chef Kyle McKnight's Marinated Piquillos With NC Drum</span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My next <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">stop was Hickory, NC, to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">present peppers to Chef Kyle McKnight. Chef Kyle <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">actively seeks unusual local ingredients and he frequently collects seeds from fruits and vegetables and passes them along to<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> farmers, expanding supply and serving as a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">seed swap source. Chef Kyle<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> marinated Piquillos and served them with fresh NC Drum, candy roaster squash, watermelon radish slices and greens and the sweet peppers were a perfect companion for the fish. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dkELwPer0kptoCk94fDkZdkK55zpnjD_Spsdwc6RQeujya6FyFkrSB96AeR3Inio3BnFY2GtrmXQ_8JaI7mYqeB5gQ0Z6oFVlpktbFn0aDj0ckmVpl4W7OTCkNX8nD3S1j2LKasvAHY/s1600/pepper+gochujang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dkELwPer0kptoCk94fDkZdkK55zpnjD_Spsdwc6RQeujya6FyFkrSB96AeR3Inio3BnFY2GtrmXQ_8JaI7mYqeB5gQ0Z6oFVlpktbFn0aDj0ckmVpl4W7OTCkNX8nD3S1j2LKasvAHY/s320/pepper+gochujang.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NC Pepper Gochujang in Process at Heirloom Restaurant</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chef Clark Barlowe, of Heirloom Restaurant, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in Charlotte, received the final <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pepper delivery. After p<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">reserving some Piquillos in pickling brine and adding others to the restaurant's house <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pepper</span> sauce, Chef Clark <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">included the remainder in</span> what may be the first Gochujang made entire<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ly from NC peppers. Gochujang, a slightly sweet, spicy fermented chili sauce, is a staple in many <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">traditional Korean dishes. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijulv26h6sjjaC_8256V8detmtUkakdzEwZ6gbbDKC8t92_hsS3C9jWbRwbKxvbUVC6RZy5bR820JYmsN7Y_ozw3QQSgy_2qdfI9q_Ti9f_EvO-YsjmNnd0F5kU80vGKJg21Ct7iiSyb0/s1600/Piquillo+Pepper+Baked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijulv26h6sjjaC_8256V8detmtUkakdzEwZ6gbbDKC8t92_hsS3C9jWbRwbKxvbUVC6RZy5bR820JYmsN7Y_ozw3QQSgy_2qdfI9q_Ti9f_EvO-YsjmNnd0F5kU80vGKJg21Ct7iiSyb0/s320/Piquillo+Pepper+Baked.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roasted Piquillos, Stuffed with Her<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bed Cheese</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back in my own kitchen, I decided to go with a simple Piquillo preparation. Maybe not as ambitious as the dishes prepared by professional chefs, but tasty enough to satisfy this home cook's family. Whether you try this recipe or create your own unique one, look for Piquillos at farmer's markets this summer and enjoy that smoky sweet flavor while at its peak. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Roasted Piquillos Wrapped with Proscuitto</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">6 Ripe Piquillo Peppers</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Broil peppers until skin chars on all sides. Place peppers in a paper bag and close bag to allow peppers to steam and cool. Remove skin, seeds and stem ends.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Combine 2 ounces each Cream Cheese and Chevre in a glass bowl, microwave for about 15 seconds.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stir cheeses and 1 tablespoon freshly snipped dill, thyme leaves and fennel.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stuff peppers with cheese mixture.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Use kitchen shears to cut 1-2 slices Proscuitto into 1/2 inch strips.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wrap Proscuitto around peppers, crossing strip.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lightly brush each pepper with olive oil.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bake on a lined baking sheet in a preheated, 375 degree oven for about 5-8 minutes or until Proscuitto is lightly browned.<b> </b> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-59502373731573649472016-06-04T22:14:00.000-04:002016-06-06T07:52:42.626-04:00A 'New' Heirloom Tomato?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first memory of heirloom tomatoes is helping my maternal grandmother harvest her crop. Granny plucked fruit from her vines and taught me to carefully place colorful orbs in large baskets. We carried baskets down the path from her garden to the backyard where she lifted them to an outdoor concrete table. As Granny filled a huge galvanized tub with water from the faucet and carried it to the table, I climbed to stand on a bench so I could help drop tomatoes in cold well water. Together, we worked, our hands touching underwater, to gently remove dirt. Clean fruit dried on newspaper before Granny took them to the kitchen. Back then, we did not call these garden staples "heirlooms;" they were just tomatoes. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc2YVZqfRoI26HtwRFJLEHFHukaP4a0T7Sg7Lv6lYi2nmFGXdoxYT40-GS_xhyAXUxsVBel5oxzX9QLnxAMnSoppDBk1sCyOamEvEMO7hVXFCXauuVvMZgnk02a00Ys6gZ7F6dGXqoAA/s1600/Tomato+Harvest+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc2YVZqfRoI26HtwRFJLEHFHukaP4a0T7Sg7Lv6lYi2nmFGXdoxYT40-GS_xhyAXUxsVBel5oxzX9QLnxAMnSoppDBk1sCyOamEvEMO7hVXFCXauuVvMZgnk02a00Ys6gZ7F6dGXqoAA/s320/Tomato+Harvest+2015.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of 2015's Heirloom Tomato Harvest</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Granny's heirloom bean, sunflower, pea, squash and cucumber seeds, saved for over twenty years, flourished in my garden, it was like having a bit of that special woman return. Although grateful for each inherited heirloom seed, I miss Granny's tomatoes, but, with help from fellow seed savers and online sources, familiar colors and shapes produce abundantly at Heart & Sole Gardens. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Whi521F4KqTDNKG9mU-cvDGuuO-dni9DfAIua4Z6nbm44b99x24eWrCWINs7fDrgajKS8OIwKwattI9ciRiTRR6qfTmomJ1QpOAxqZ0623YqFX2M1RM_Pdt1A8JK-QUxmbNAavoUfzM/s1600/chocolate+stripes+tomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Whi521F4KqTDNKG9mU-cvDGuuO-dni9DfAIua4Z6nbm44b99x24eWrCWINs7fDrgajKS8OIwKwattI9ciRiTRR6qfTmomJ1QpOAxqZ0623YqFX2M1RM_Pdt1A8JK-QUxmbNAavoUfzM/s320/chocolate+stripes+tomato.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ripe Chocolate Stripes Tomato</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Perhaps I go a bit overboard when ordering tomato seeds, but glossy catalog photos and descriptions are just too tempting. Along with old favorites like Cherokee Purple, Yellow Pear and German Pink, more exotic species like A. Grappoli D'Iverno and Ciskos Botermo sometimes grow in my tomato garden. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7iemUerRi0VqBL4YfTcuxwkcY4S0Q2bNpx9mcSQUDaJVegba1QTR4vrE0F0nSRyEJxiXU7WqLcxVFErGTPJ4EXjpwLNcJM3l4cCD_YnFIGfXH9HS2VIVRm3jDN64oeQiYyHsDGXcSwk/s1600/csikos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7iemUerRi0VqBL4YfTcuxwkcY4S0Q2bNpx9mcSQUDaJVegba1QTR4vrE0F0nSRyEJxiXU7WqLcxVFErGTPJ4EXjpwLNcJM3l4cCD_YnFIGfXH9HS2VIVRm3jDN64oeQiYyHsDGXcSwk/s320/csikos.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato Seedling</td></tr>
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Each summer, I save seeds from the most perfect fruit specimens to grow for the following year. After growing over one hundred tomato varieties, I started to notice strange things happening. A few years ago, from the seedling tray I labeled "Sungold," rather than tiny yellow cherry tomatoes I expected, plants produced bright red salad tomatoes. At first, I attributed differences to mistakes I made, incorrect labeling, mixing saved seeds, etc., but then, I began to suspect another reason for garden surprises. Both heirloom and hybrid tomato plants are self-pollinating, meaning blossoms contain both male and female components and do not require pollinators or wind to carry pollen from stamen to ovary. However, if tomatoes are not separated by at least ten feet, it is possible for them to cross pollinate, resulting in seed that will produce fruit the following year that is not true to type. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59ygAEJBqJ0VUiDq3ajNR4ksQQ6y51SPWUy1K9tLA4aoQYV7ub59sMa4keTe76boQS6tidkRJxFPtsL9ifrQKvG1ST8DOIVyDPS3WSIh8evE9OaGISb3SwAAJvpJmQql-v4jR4B7p340/s1600/blue+beauty+not.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59ygAEJBqJ0VUiDq3ajNR4ksQQ6y51SPWUy1K9tLA4aoQYV7ub59sMa4keTe76boQS6tidkRJxFPtsL9ifrQKvG1ST8DOIVyDPS3WSIh8evE9OaGISb3SwAAJvpJmQql-v4jR4B7p340/s320/blue+beauty+not.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Seed Packet Was Labeled "Blue Beauty"</td></tr>
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Apparently, I am not alone when I inadvertently save cross pollinated seeds; several seed packets purchased from reputable sources also produce surprise plants. Perhaps, due to increased customer demand for heirloom seeds, growers rush to fill orders and fail to test seeds for purity? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few years ago, I harvested a tomato unlike any fruit I intentionally planted; if it produces the same fruit this year, it is one worth preserving as pure seed. With dark green skin, deep rosy purple flesh, creamy interior stripes and rich flavor, this large slicing tomato produced abundantly throughout last season. Most likely, it is a cross between Chocolate Stripes, Green Velvet and perhaps, Cherokee Purple. I shared seeds and seedlings with several other gardeners this spring, in hopes we can "trial" the plant. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSBHh5TUxiTLKaAa3drgy3CMVVxBO_T-4AqsbsrHmTnP_fqua0MQmnFsoSZ_FxKRu_s8YpCAmAILEgQL2DPi1u4uAgDHIlzhKkwwLIRNrc_Hs7e6_YlAd9xPh8yNL43fvdM6HVZNGzRA/s1600/Heart+and+Sole+Tomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSBHh5TUxiTLKaAa3drgy3CMVVxBO_T-4AqsbsrHmTnP_fqua0MQmnFsoSZ_FxKRu_s8YpCAmAILEgQL2DPi1u4uAgDHIlzhKkwwLIRNrc_Hs7e6_YlAd9xPh8yNL43fvdM6HVZNGzRA/s320/Heart+and+Sole+Tomato.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Delicious Tomato Surprise</td></tr>
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Most plant specialists define heirloom seeds as those that produce consistently for many generations. If this new tomato remains stable and seed savers are careful to maintain pure seed, perhaps one day the Heart & Sole Tomato may be a true heirloom. For now, I anxiously await the first ripe fruit and hope its flavor in a tomato sandwich will live up to last year's taste memory. Meanwhile, last summer's canned tomatoes are finding their way into many family meals as we clear pantry shelves to make space for what will, hopefully, be a bountiful harvest.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkORfKONj12fAnHQ72i7qBiWUy1fKiJkzrlNKVY4kB7zh5Hlc8-rVTMD4j2S6Qi5tp9ia3gJevZZYuA-oSt48xhbjFg7YGNAk0kP1fYEDijnFcXGFFxBNOvgGw-ITs7vvV_IeOLLaUdmM/s1600/Canned+tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkORfKONj12fAnHQ72i7qBiWUy1fKiJkzrlNKVY4kB7zh5Hlc8-rVTMD4j2S6Qi5tp9ia3gJevZZYuA-oSt48xhbjFg7YGNAk0kP1fYEDijnFcXGFFxBNOvgGw-ITs7vvV_IeOLLaUdmM/s320/Canned+tomatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Left: Mini Orange, San Marzano, Cream Sausage & Cherokee Purple</td></tr>
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Fingers crossed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span>After using canned tomatoes for soup, stew, salsa, casserole, etc., I decided to try something different. This cheesecake is savory and would be a great appetizer for a summer party. Be sure to drain the tomatoes well before adding to the batter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Heirloom Tomato Cheesecake</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the crust:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/3 cup each: pine nuts, pecans, slivered almonds, lightly toasted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 tablespoons butter, melted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pulse nuts in a food processor about 5-6 times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a quart-size plastic zip lock bag, combine nuts and butter, shaking to completely coat nuts with butter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Spray bottom and sides of 6 inch springform pan with vegetable spray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Empty bag of nuts/butter into pan and turn bag inside out to press nut mixture into bottom and slightly up sides of pan.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtatLb6MPuP4bhQd3oOti31KV7nhG5WZtagqw8kbekIv1xWcRmXg3jlJsBOhlYofwoLn_msnUyxus08c4S-TrtxCtTUhIQm6O9-NCN1mbdOtnJ-VWzVXuN-Q4jhqPynjLQTyUwU2K9pSQ/s1600/Tomato+Cheesecake+crust.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtatLb6MPuP4bhQd3oOti31KV7nhG5WZtagqw8kbekIv1xWcRmXg3jlJsBOhlYofwoLn_msnUyxus08c4S-TrtxCtTUhIQm6O9-NCN1mbdOtnJ-VWzVXuN-Q4jhqPynjLQTyUwU2K9pSQ/s320/Tomato+Cheesecake+crust.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bag's Buttery Inside Makes for Easy Crust Pressing</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bake crust for 5 minutes in a preheated, 325 degree oven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the filling:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Using a stand mixer, beat 3 8-oz packages of cream cheese, softened, with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp dried basil until fluffy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add 4 room-temperature eggs, one at a time and continue to beat until mixture is smooth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add 2 cups canned paste tomatoes, drained, and blend well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stir in 2 tblsp all-purpose flour until combined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">*For test purposes, I used a cup each: San Marzano (red) and Cream Sausage (white) paste tomatoes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bake cheesecake in preheated, 325 degree oven, for about 1 hour and ten minutes, or until the cake feels set, but still moves to the touch.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLzST4s77eWnZ_Gu-aRwE6hdkUXIMGTUdeNv9nEudMn0Lhd5HSuzgQPzPjjXOpF_rmv4u-MEnqiG2GF8WW8AQgUaXvC8F2uWjIdgFT5u3fjwDrPrtmU9VC1jyTlhOzXo93B-gIYC4Rho/s1600/Tomato+Cheesecake+puffed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLzST4s77eWnZ_Gu-aRwE6hdkUXIMGTUdeNv9nEudMn0Lhd5HSuzgQPzPjjXOpF_rmv4u-MEnqiG2GF8WW8AQgUaXvC8F2uWjIdgFT5u3fjwDrPrtmU9VC1jyTlhOzXo93B-gIYC4Rho/s320/Tomato+Cheesecake+puffed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheesecake Puffs After Baking, Settles as it Cools</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Allow to cool on wire rack for about an hour and refrigerate overnight.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbK9Ge9YR2K2gqdiYKV4eZFNdph-9jB-ru-xH-7ERRTXUSds6EhGx82k8soio0aef4jmGtJxuJ1V7axkHlapipn6xLEiJDPKPSA26q_GXfz0bVzP3J8FmttxfETk1aEjwJ-lMhoIfouc0/s1600/Tomato+Cheesecake+served.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbK9Ge9YR2K2gqdiYKV4eZFNdph-9jB-ru-xH-7ERRTXUSds6EhGx82k8soio0aef4jmGtJxuJ1V7axkHlapipn6xLEiJDPKPSA26q_GXfz0bVzP3J8FmttxfETk1aEjwJ-lMhoIfouc0/s320/Tomato+Cheesecake+served.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato Cheesecake </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To serve, top cheesecake with pepper jelly or pesto and, for a pretty presentation, place on a pedestal serving plate and surround the cake with fresh herbs and edible blossoms. </span><br />
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-65539305555419701852016-05-25T12:46:00.000-04:002016-05-25T12:46:56.432-04:00Go, Vols!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We opened the last jar <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">this week</span>. An experiment <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">from last summer, squash pickles proved to be a family favorite and pantry shelf space is already dedicated to what, fingers crossed, will be another bumper crop<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Crisper than cucumbers, these squash pickles are tart and addictive<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbte5vDbW13ER-QCfBRHryLeMbdOB-SgVuFwm23Y_EJ8wbzNXHQk6fZWxEn1jLFJ2TfbBOrDS3RuzseYXdQOurDBkbvuAUHcQN49dONwlHlQ7dXo7itiYQ9xolf2U2UdzRbMfMGldXvk/s1600/squash+pickles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbte5vDbW13ER-QCfBRHryLeMbdOB-SgVuFwm23Y_EJ8wbzNXHQk6fZWxEn1jLFJ2TfbBOrDS3RuzseYXdQOurDBkbvuAUHcQN49dONwlHlQ7dXo7itiYQ9xolf2U2UdzRbMfMGldXvk/s320/squash+pickles.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Include Fresh Herbs & Peppers in Squash Pickles</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After tilling farm fields, squash seedlings emer</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ged, thousands of them, and even though we thinned hundreds, with good growing weather, we will </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">harvest more than we can possibly use. Since these "volunteers" chose their own spot, we added rich composted manure to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">surrounding</span> soil</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> to </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">add nutrients. </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvIv85oyUJRFQZ_Qhk6uu32qiMOLYd93G598WGdo3XcmxdloloKSjLxFVVy165NqwmegcMt7gv3LtqvXy12SIVPRnLzphrPA19IucNU4tq5Yse_caMSTXiwaqzID8WQ-mGZLJ9tE5rv4/s1600/squash+seedlings+may+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvIv85oyUJRFQZ_Qhk6uu32qiMOLYd93G598WGdo3XcmxdloloKSjLxFVVy165NqwmegcMt7gv3LtqvXy12SIVPRnLzphrPA19IucNU4tq5Yse_caMSTXiwaqzID8WQ-mGZLJ9tE5rv4/s320/squash+seedlings+may+16.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early May, 2016, Squash Seedlings</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If Squash Season, 2015, is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">any i<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ndi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cation, this summer's fruit may look different from what most gardeners grow, due to cross-pollination of numerous species. For more about squash reproduction, see <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">earlier blog: <a href="http://heartandsolefood.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-sexy-garden.html">The Sexy Garden</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ1-zsaBqQ3872_g2Subot6EhXI0aAXs6G7XgpYqmSwMx1Wvd2KJ7TrgoZkiKAzEJ0jk1ERQxlq-VUhdVadh_SwKS8R9bqVVYgbpC1OZEPytZ7hLFOYurKkwzNn8DDELLLDO5OfC7OPc/s1600/Squash+crazy+crosses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ1-zsaBqQ3872_g2Subot6EhXI0aAXs6G7XgpYqmSwMx1Wvd2KJ7TrgoZkiKAzEJ0jk1ERQxlq-VUhdVadh_SwKS8R9bqVVYgbpC1OZEPytZ7hLFOYurKkwzNn8DDELLLDO5OfC7OPc/s320/Squash+crazy+crosses.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Few Specimens From 2015</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A recent trip to Knoxville included dining at Blackberry Farm, a culinary mecca <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that deserves every accolade heaped upon its beautiful shoulders. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blackberry grows many of the restaurant's food ingredients <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">surrounding gardens and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">even though most <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tennessee fans would claim the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">menu's first course as a tribute to UT's Volunteers, it also acknowledg<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ed</span> an heirloom garden's volunteer plants<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, ultimate "free food."<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgC_zxDibu3ygAdcN8lQNOsyCz2qh_dTR6-DHZ2YOoo2OTwSPOmL7Zav7CTmRaBS9R1Wbi0WuvZVU8ga_m487McEc81kDSV_uTXCcY9h5avNV0DXNJAbhljcz1ebvdH5Qn3950StrCgk/s1600/Volunteer+Salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgC_zxDibu3ygAdcN8lQNOsyCz2qh_dTR6-DHZ2YOoo2OTwSPOmL7Zav7CTmRaBS9R1Wbi0WuvZVU8ga_m487McEc81kDSV_uTXCcY9h5avNV0DXNJAbhljcz1ebvdH5Qn3950StrCgk/s320/Volunteer+Salad.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reseeding Heirloom Plants <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Made a Delicious Salad</span></span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your summer garden includes a bountiful squash harvest, plan to make these pickles. Pickling solution may be made and stored in the refrigerator until squash are ready to pick. For those who do not grow heirloom squash, make a friend who does. These productive plants require daily harvest and usually overwhelm gardeners. With all those seedlings in the field, I am making a list of friends, family, acquaintances and strangers. Is you name in the phone book?</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Squash Pickles</b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the pickling solution, in a large pot, heat 2 cups white vinegar, 1 3/4 cups water and 4 tablespoons kosher salt. (For best results, do not use iodized.) Stir until salt dissolves and cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator. This is a great solution for any pickle and I make it by the gallon. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove ends and slice tender young squash lengthwise, into spear shapes. Pack tightly into pint or quart jars and add fresh herbs, a garlic clove and brightly colored peppers, sliced in half. For herbs, I add dill, oregano, thyme and basil. Jalapeno, Serrano or Fish peppers are good choices for heat, while Jimmy Nardello (in above photo) is an excellent sweet pepper. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heat pickling solution to boiling and pour over packed squash, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Process 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. </span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-21818361445882522492016-05-17T13:18:00.000-04:002016-05-17T13:18:13.541-04:00Honeybees and Their Keepers<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last year, while working at the farm, Richard and I witnessed one of Nature's most spectacular phenomena: a bee swarm. Honeybee colonies are ruled by a single queen, but sometimes, a new queen hatches while the old queen still rules, so the colony divides itself and half the worker bees and one queen leave their home in search of new digs. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89KowHrfmrRq-hyAuc3yXmaLFlUNP4QoD12EY15tRm4yzplvdE1r0Glw6xed6kPgSCry6y4BCdexC5l8gvkUEY9qEiKQIS3GrVIBPW4iVsnDg7zlEyOCaTZuCgKoW6EFfxFgOk2WlnZY/s1600/honeybee+works+kale+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89KowHrfmrRq-hyAuc3yXmaLFlUNP4QoD12EY15tRm4yzplvdE1r0Glw6xed6kPgSCry6y4BCdexC5l8gvkUEY9qEiKQIS3GrVIBPW4iVsnDg7zlEyOCaTZuCgKoW6EFfxFgOk2WlnZY/s320/honeybee+works+kale+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeybees are Important Pollinators</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usually, the departing group, or swarm, will settle nearby, often in a tree or shrub, until suitable housing is found. Last year's farm swarm was unusual because the bees left one hive to settle next door in a vacant box. From start to finish, the entire fascinating process took about an hour and I filmed most of the action. View the video here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brOYIamRalI">Honeybee Swarm</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">While transplanting tomato and pepper plants to the farm last week, another large honeybee colony swarmed and settled into convenient housing next door, but due to the busyness of transplanting, we missed the show. By the time I observed occupants in the hive box, empty that morning, the residents were working diligently to clean and tidy the new home.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w-eHLzQ3G_72FL3zKxbYjpAX8vLBWZSKCx_Rzk5KLPUR_lVN7OTpPhY-gWxrjGGQlw8eUH4jdwbBzQ5MXIM5_atGMzQ5lcmC0TNhHQsGTXGSLS3OnkivkbcxU2Kla-Shp4CRquhpaS0/s1600/RB+captures+bee+swarm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w-eHLzQ3G_72FL3zKxbYjpAX8vLBWZSKCx_Rzk5KLPUR_lVN7OTpPhY-gWxrjGGQlw8eUH4jdwbBzQ5MXIM5_atGMzQ5lcmC0TNhHQsGTXGSLS3OnkivkbcxU2Kla-Shp4CRquhpaS0/s320/RB+captures+bee+swarm.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeybee Swarm Captured by Richard</td></tr>
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As beekeepers, Richard and I owe gratitude to others who teach us how to care for these fascinating creatures. Tate Poarch, Willard, Howard and Richard Greene, Bruce Hamby<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, Scott</span> Barlow, Pete Penley and others often share knowledge, time and resources with us. Recently, a new generation of beekeepers is emerging and we rejoice to see young people <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">inc<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lude honeybees as part of the family</span></span>. Our son, Clark Barlowe, chef owner of Heirloom Restaurant, currently hosts ten rooftop honeybee colonies and the bees share honey with restaurant guests. Bob Peters, master mixologist at The Ritz Carlton's bar, The Punch Room, also helps manage the hotel's rooftop hives and often includes honey in his unique and innovative concoctions. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZYnr0oMaw_5Sn40GANom5qtSWkHJf-OwE931tI73BG5tdwDBSXC9xYpnKEuPLVxm66wkSj6eTkclEU-8lj-AfzQbzxUjl2OoOTJMMf7tj67Xp9CZGvtZYrjL-cn0EMtYcI6JBUoimkk/s1600/beekeepers+with+honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZYnr0oMaw_5Sn40GANom5qtSWkHJf-OwE931tI73BG5tdwDBSXC9xYpnKEuPLVxm66wkSj6eTkclEU-8lj-AfzQbzxUjl2OoOTJMMf7tj67Xp9CZGvtZYrjL-cn0EMtYcI6JBUoimkk/s320/beekeepers+with+honey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clark Barlowe & Bob Peters <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With Honey Harvest (Photo: Peter Taylor)</span></span></td></tr>
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Recently, Willard Greene shared <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">three </span>honeybee colonies with Drew Parrish, a young man who, along with his wife, plans to grow organic fruits and vegetables near Winston-Salem. Eager to learn and excited to inc<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">orporate</span> honeybees <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in </span>his family's venture, Drew represents a growing population of young beekeepers who appreciate the balance of Nature and Human. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS0ttL83b802D-bMFMpm3oa7-KKdPK1AE74AQsYtSWnxbnc0jvE-WQX19UI-Rq4YyWit-JPaZGlnCG-zSxyFTxabHqst8Fh5K0u1ZzwjOG8-DvGzpv8TA6gS6nDQ4xT51pVmdKhT-naE/s1600/beekeeper+drew+parrish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS0ttL83b802D-bMFMpm3oa7-KKdPK1AE74AQsYtSWnxbnc0jvE-WQX19UI-Rq4YyWit-JPaZGlnCG-zSxyFTxabHqst8Fh5K0u1ZzwjOG8-DvGzpv8TA6gS6nDQ4xT51pVmdKhT-naE/s320/beekeeper+drew+parrish.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beekeeper Drew Parrish With Honeybee Hives</span></td></tr>
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As we approach National Pollinator Week, June 20-26, plan to celebrate by becoming a beekeeper, befriending a beekeeper or just purchasing some of the magic elixir shared by honeybees.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQWNvH3bQBvcB5D8zttEGo_QYg3nC5VV7daiYalYysKlRdBEi-v_m2OX8mTH79ZVaLYzFIDbXGgp4ZhIxoU0DWOPzZX7N6hh4vmniZjpQwpy7-9fZnqumwzgn5qYPSvCenpD1og4zwRc/s1600/strawberry+bruschetta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQWNvH3bQBvcB5D8zttEGo_QYg3nC5VV7daiYalYysKlRdBEi-v_m2OX8mTH79ZVaLYzFIDbXGgp4ZhIxoU0DWOPzZX7N6hh4vmniZjpQwpy7-9fZnqumwzgn5qYPSvCenpD1og4zwRc/s320/strawberry+bruschetta.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Strawberry Bruschetta With Honey Drizzle</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh Strawberry Bruschetta With Honey Drizzle</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take advantage of strawberry and arugula seasons with this treat. For best flavor, be sure to use local honey.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For each serving:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simmer 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (I used strawberry infused) in a small pot until slightly reduced, about 4 minutes. While balsamic is warm, add 1/2 cup chopped baby arugula leaves and about a tablespoon toasted pine nuts and stir to combine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heat 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil in a skillet, add 1 slice sourdough bread, brown both sides and drain on paper towel.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While bread is warm, spread a generous smear of fresh chevre (goat cheese) over one side. Top with the balsamic/arugula mixture and add fresh sliced strawberries. Drizzle about a teaspoon of local honey over. </span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-85673282306344473262016-05-05T14:01:00.000-04:002016-05-05T14:01:56.299-04:00Do Ladybugs Like Their Eggs Scrambled?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Childhood memories often emerge when I work in the garden. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although I did not realize it at the time, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">as I helped my grandmother pull weeds, squash <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bugs<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, trellis vines and harvest fruits and vegetables, I learned valuable life lessons. Last week, while protecting potato plants from Colorado Potato Beetles, defoliating machines, I discovered an army of small insects aiding my efforts and I recalled a nursery rhyme <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Granny taught me.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAEfWcOfH-fUIDySCX6rTmXYPoypH0lf1ijsvgiHPU1voVb7lluitpOqIet9PC0pXWttBi4DUCGl8N9SYjT7ERVpG9hjOr5aGDp-KCptlQ2g84JQ5TgTgic6qRLIY19HzVgJNJiRWNv8/s1600/lady+beetle+may+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAEfWcOfH-fUIDySCX6rTmXYPoypH0lf1ijsvgiHPU1voVb7lluitpOqIet9PC0pXWttBi4DUCGl8N9SYjT7ERVpG9hjOr5aGDp-KCptlQ2g84JQ5TgTgic6qRLIY19HzVgJNJiRWNv8/s320/lady+beetle+may+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lady Beetles Feast on Aphids & Potato Beetle Eggs</span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away Home,</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your House is on Fire, Your Children <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gone!</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As many nursery rhymes do, this one seems a bit scary for children, but examining its origins reveals the message was intended to protect this helpful insect. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65cdG8SLhGgtuJe3zIbT4p2nApjbwji4bo-fI8gzj9SPq2qsi3Tu5lg3l_Km2myJ4DZbbfoWDJY6AL0OEiEj1H9N2uN2RvsWid8aH9CsK91R9MNrrY8tNRf6RmQtOxFzSQzgjAc8JCWY/s1600/colorado+potato+beetle+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65cdG8SLhGgtuJe3zIbT4p2nApjbwji4bo-fI8gzj9SPq2qsi3Tu5lg3l_Km2myJ4DZbbfoWDJY6AL0OEiEj1H9N2uN2RvsWid8aH9CsK91R9MNrrY8tNRf6RmQtOxFzSQzgjAc8JCWY/s320/colorado+potato+beetle+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorado Potato Beetles Decimate Plant Leaves</td></tr>
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</span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">F</span>irst recorded in 18th cen<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tury England, the original rhyme's main character was "Ladybird," rather than Ladybug<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and many sources <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">refer to both religious a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nd politic<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">al basis, but my favorite historical reference is one that includes farmers<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. In or<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">der to control pests and weeds, farmers burned fields and, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">appreciative of helpful lady beetles, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">as <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they lit fires, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they </span>would chant the nursery <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rhyme. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although I found no <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rel<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">iable source to support my theory, perhaps <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">parents taught children this rhyme to prevent them from squa<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">shing "good" bugs?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsdAiI2asBsXCvzwse9Xv-UD_dIYGTnh6kvra2wB1XkhwbYYfs2nxTTRLN0OBcsLFNdaL_s8Kb_knJbZBA2_bbUUemjdtjcpAK1eLpa03_b9oHrrRJCOGpcN6lr9MeJS_YIOlVY_k6Z0/s1600/Lady+Beetle+at+work+2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsdAiI2asBsXCvzwse9Xv-UD_dIYGTnh6kvra2wB1XkhwbYYfs2nxTTRLN0OBcsLFNdaL_s8Kb_knJbZBA2_bbUUemjdtjcpAK1eLpa03_b9oHrrRJCOGpcN6lr9MeJS_YIOlVY_k6Z0/s320/Lady+Beetle+at+work+2016.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lady Beetle on Potato Leaf Dama<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ged by Potato Beetle</span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Unchecked, potato beetles lay eggs on the underside of leaves and hatch countless larvae that riddle entire plants within a few days. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl7v1k-APJQo9flL5rrv3TLlq6tSX_yi5FxHtcDtwKvZKTX_vEeyIgTfWJY4g8Nk7DCvhs5pHSvfZTa9E6WBnb7CDyHHMMUgM_-gqlcgS1MtebS7NqtZNM5YI0cGIeM2_gKoOK2rEixk/s1600/colorado+potato+beetle+eggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl7v1k-APJQo9flL5rrv3TLlq6tSX_yi5FxHtcDtwKvZKTX_vEeyIgTfWJY4g8Nk7DCvhs5pHSvfZTa9E6WBnb7CDyHHMMUgM_-gqlcgS1MtebS7NqtZNM5YI0cGIeM2_gKoOK2rEixk/s320/colorado+potato+beetle+eggs.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Colorado Potato Beetle Eggs</span></td></tr>
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Fortunately, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span>he Lady Beetle, with its distinctive red and black coloring,<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is a big fan of those tiny yellow orbs. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noticing the abundance of lady beetles in this year's potato rows, I was intrigued by their work and their varied number o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f spots. More research gave me a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> deeper appreciation for these tiny unpai<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d farm workers.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLa09QQqoGETpZfGbDHUGBBtnyTSZ04_kZGULwU3cLwyod5pt599e19W3ljMZJGS27J8KE4lbwwCbENfYiktsk0SMgCxkWyaFOy6qqfb1CYpKJouBrszGaskjEhCy1NiqpeC5ALjVih0/s1600/lady+beetle+many+spots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLa09QQqoGETpZfGbDHUGBBtnyTSZ04_kZGULwU3cLwyod5pt599e19W3ljMZJGS27J8KE4lbwwCbENfYiktsk0SMgCxkWyaFOy6qqfb1CYpKJouBrszGaskjEhCy1NiqpeC5ALjVih0/s320/lady+beetle+many+spots.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Asian Lady Beetle</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When native lady beetle numbers declined in the 1980s, the US Government imported aggressive species, including the Asian ladybug from Japan. Like the invasive kudzu plant, this species populated rapidly and, unlike native lady beetles, Asian ladybugs prefer to overwinter in human homes, making them unpopular with many homeowners, who are sometimes allergic to the insects' secretions, which also stain ceilings and walls. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ULR-9ry1Asrz-9zoNCY8HlfScXPLUoVjMhjoYCW-RGPAp5mfJrin-ICFp0AIxCTa282qziCvf4sKb0S63h2yNK8-ESvxGgCCZS3cHZL8LCbk23CGklH1AxNmcfgpF3JT9XuI9_eyR1s/s1600/Lady+beetle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ULR-9ry1Asrz-9zoNCY8HlfScXPLUoVjMhjoYCW-RGPAp5mfJrin-ICFp0AIxCTa282qziCvf4sKb0S63h2yNK8-ESvxGgCCZS3cHZL8LCbk23CGklH1AxNmcfgpF3JT9XuI9_eyR1s/s320/Lady+beetle.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native Lady Beetles Overwinter in Trees</td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In an attempt to enlist protective help for native species from US citizens, Cornell University entomologist, John Losey, created the <a href="http://lostladybug.org/">Lost Ladybug Project</a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Losey's site encourages people to photograph lady beetles and send the images to the project. As of May 5, 2016, over thirty-five thousand lady beetle images have been submitted and the site includes an identification guide for various species, some of which are considered endangered and very rare. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QCWVpmDAxQLL-Iqf1D3sMauEARag6O9Dmg-_9_LkvuoD2Lf96ZE13DCdnQNws-eKkPKAkdJMvzJqX2AFvoGIMORCNfFW1Gb38VNdgl0Tj_L6_hnQ9eBJt5ng3oXz5EuXT7lzlJvffwk/s1600/colorado+potato+beetle+eggs+mashed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QCWVpmDAxQLL-Iqf1D3sMauEARag6O9Dmg-_9_LkvuoD2Lf96ZE13DCdnQNws-eKkPKAkdJMvzJqX2AFvoGIMORCNfFW1Gb38VNdgl0Tj_L6_hnQ9eBJt5ng3oXz5EuXT7lzlJvffwk/s320/colorado+potato+beetle+eggs+mashed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squashing Potato Beetle Eggs: Do Lady Beetles Eat Them Scrambled?</td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With beautiful weather forecast for the weekend, head to the nearest organic garden or your own backyard to observe lady beetles. Capture photographs and compare the species you discover to an identification guide. Perhaps you will be fortunate and observe a rare nine-spotted ladybug or the two-spotted native. Regardless of the species you see, pause to be grateful for these farmer-friendly insects and the work they do to control pests. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-79527262156563331642016-04-21T15:17:00.001-04:002016-04-21T15:17:48.070-04:00Spring Into Asparagus<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first warm Spring days always deliver the same concerning thought: <i>What if there is no asparagus this year? </i>Now that we are into the third week of harvest, that fear is replaced by another thought: <i>How will we use all the asparagus? </i>Fortunately, there are plenty of friends, family and chefs who willingly share our bounty. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07Q3M9HMi1w0t3yurvw4bdO8AtB8PXRZu-2xkor2-M3XbvcxHJKHpzW_0r_7zD2BV1d_gpsytpe3IKEdsalXe4WhgCqJelXeIiEasQMUaXzybkyeysHVih_77GBOR5YZhjfQT2r5D99k/s1600/asparagus+spears+in+field.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07Q3M9HMi1w0t3yurvw4bdO8AtB8PXRZu-2xkor2-M3XbvcxHJKHpzW_0r_7zD2BV1d_gpsytpe3IKEdsalXe4WhgCqJelXeIiEasQMUaXzybkyeysHVih_77GBOR5YZhjfQT2r5D99k/s320/asparagus+spears+in+field.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For optimum flavor, eat asparagus asap after harvest</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Although supermarkets sell asparagus almost year round, these spears taste nothing like fresh, in season, local asparagus. Since asparagus continues to age after harvest, spears toughen and become bitter, so it is desirable to eat asparagus as soon as possible after cutting. </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Kd46WmEZOKTyxKZe8w__WbcmkXiENytYnT43gYJReeS5795Asf2gl86jEXXTKr7Ovg_zSdLwYF7f-7W6pUlo54jjGfQVtcOfTlK-evUDnWP9GBJKJW3zRFfYJr67ZqmnbgyBDx-UOo0/s1600/asparagus+spears+sorted.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Kd46WmEZOKTyxKZe8w__WbcmkXiENytYnT43gYJReeS5795Asf2gl86jEXXTKr7Ovg_zSdLwYF7f-7W6pUlo54jjGfQVtcOfTlK-evUDnWP9GBJKJW3zRFfYJr67ZqmnbgyBDx-UOo0/s320/asparagus+spears+sorted.JPG" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh asparagus taste is vastly superior to supermarket produce</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">By early June, asparagus season will end for North Carolina, so enjoy this delicious spring harbinger while it is available. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDXCTQz3CFW-nU0ab8LHDklttPWH1mNo_HmxdirQp01Kk8gfYzZVaprx_4jzlc2EAv9xyULDaAc6Q5qN3J4kdu_VsG_pZHWI-djLt0QyU5GbFwaY2UKLgCcmQEL3ZAujHJEQi8lHCzZ4/s1600/asparagus+glass+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDXCTQz3CFW-nU0ab8LHDklttPWH1mNo_HmxdirQp01Kk8gfYzZVaprx_4jzlc2EAv9xyULDaAc6Q5qN3J4kdu_VsG_pZHWI-djLt0QyU5GbFwaY2UKLgCcmQEL3ZAujHJEQi8lHCzZ4/s320/asparagus+glass+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refrigerate fresh asparagus, upright in water</td></tr>
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While trying out new preparations, I used asparagus to make slaw and salad. Since I could not decide which I preferred, I am including both recipes. Wild sorrel, with delicate yellow flowers and tangy flavor, makes a great edible garnish for both. </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAq_Sn5zlKm4UbNtRUjc1rZR_qxlcQ4iiLMM0Frf-j-Dx7IgJGTg12lP_hlFM2qIqMavsJp5KbL8tBbkqlwgdXo6M2PK3Aqkj2T33RB9CxSB8oKLFYHq8hAiGKeqd9sRpW6AJEnfgPSJM/s1600/wild+sorrel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAq_Sn5zlKm4UbNtRUjc1rZR_qxlcQ4iiLMM0Frf-j-Dx7IgJGTg12lP_hlFM2qIqMavsJp5KbL8tBbkqlwgdXo6M2PK3Aqkj2T33RB9CxSB8oKLFYHq8hAiGKeqd9sRpW6AJEnfgPSJM/s320/wild+sorrel.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Sorrel</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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</span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Asparagus Slaw</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Reserve tender asparagus spear tips for another use)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups finely chopped asparagus spears</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 medium radishes, minced</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 small scallion, white and green tips minced</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup grated carrot </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Splash of vinegar (Test purposes, ramp infused vinegar)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combine all ingredients, refrigerate for at least three hours before serving.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC-vmJTpfgvsHAXLVLQmM_-id5ZuYEX6NZt30Hv1V09qaPgI6sWRhFyVhzbXpAhcjKgd1-FtFVqZ05qgdkgwJC9SB3i5Fps_nM7I_xv3pIKF2F7A6LvIeyYyUxoTKaTdEOH9172MfRzI/s1600/asparagus+2+ways.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC-vmJTpfgvsHAXLVLQmM_-id5ZuYEX6NZt30Hv1V09qaPgI6sWRhFyVhzbXpAhcjKgd1-FtFVqZ05qgdkgwJC9SB3i5Fps_nM7I_xv3pIKF2F7A6LvIeyYyUxoTKaTdEOH9172MfRzI/s320/asparagus+2+ways.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asparagus slaw and salad with wild sorrel garnish</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Asparagus Salad</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups fresh asparagus spears, finely chopped</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 medium radishes, minced</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 small scallion, white and green tips, minced</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 hard boiled eggs, diced</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup grated carrot</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon Dijon mustard</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tablespoons Duke's mayo (add more if needed, to taste)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combine all ingredients, refrigerate for at least three hours before serving. </span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-15305484019910813602016-04-13T10:57:00.000-04:002016-04-13T10:57:33.108-04:00Planting Legacies<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spring, 2016, yields some of the most spectacular early blossoms on record for Western NC. One beautiful display reminds me of a neighbor who planted azaleas not long before his death. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking at the</span> expanse of brilliant red blooms<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, a delight for </span>passersby, I remember the man who placed young plants, his friendly wave, a wide smile that proclaimed youthful spirit and his twinkling eyes. These azaleas, now mature plants, announce joyful exuberance and share beauty, a living legacy to the gardener. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJg_pf3FL8O7YRP0pcOh9gx9kK854-ed3EQcToJMmXC2YJ3lmAxVJNghQcbnIE9yGYHFGKgwZFH7OP-49-njebvOLT7bAXBe0xtYQ3cNmiPaGVVg2MLDsElXe6nxud4o4HN2quLxxVw0/s1600/tim%2527s+azaleas+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJg_pf3FL8O7YRP0pcOh9gx9kK854-ed3EQcToJMmXC2YJ3lmAxVJNghQcbnIE9yGYHFGKgwZFH7OP-49-njebvOLT7bAXBe0xtYQ3cNmiPaGVVg2MLDsElXe6nxud4o4HN2quLxxVw0/s320/tim%2527s+azaleas+16.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim's Azaleas, Spectacular 2016 Show</td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A stroll around my home also reminds me of friends and family, some who are alive and others who shared tangible reminders of their earthly time. Here, Ruth's peonies, deliciously fragrant, there, Aunt Meda's irises, large blossoms very different from my grandmother's small delicate purple ones. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3pWWoesKhoxaRqe-0RtQfOIagQ8A1A1Zr5kPOhe1dB7mTvLeRIoc2XFyEiXh5GMGoDmq7Mpw35WqbDUGn7YjMRJCf4o2NYrwfv_C_PQHvocuPbBa8DsPU9XNwRdAKZw_3SGnyFSgIXs/s1600/Janet%2527s+hellebore+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3pWWoesKhoxaRqe-0RtQfOIagQ8A1A1Zr5kPOhe1dB7mTvLeRIoc2XFyEiXh5GMGoDmq7Mpw35WqbDUGn7YjMRJCf4o2NYrwfv_C_PQHvocuPbBa8DsPU9XNwRdAKZw_3SGnyFSgIXs/s320/Janet%2527s+hellebore+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hellebores Re-Seed to Grow New Plants</td></tr>
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Janet's Hellebores thrive in wooded oak leaf beds and a large pot holds nodding bleeding hearts, a gift from Clark. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4ydXbs5CFoJL3s4e0T1L1iPL9hnXH4VqnyN1uBpmr-Zi-rYkCFxchAeURpQ4GhHhhNiPtSf-DmPNmAEsprSNT_BJkUUKVO-7fEm_4DIWadQSe0j9A2KIWlDXngNEfMDUz3jdIC8AQCQ/s1600/bleeding+heart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4ydXbs5CFoJL3s4e0T1L1iPL9hnXH4VqnyN1uBpmr-Zi-rYkCFxchAeURpQ4GhHhhNiPtSf-DmPNmAEsprSNT_BJkUUKVO-7fEm_4DIWadQSe0j9A2KIWlDXngNEfMDUz3jdIC8AQCQ/s320/bleeding+heart.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perennial Bleeding Hearts Thrive as Container Plants</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Along with plants, I count heirloom seeds as gifts. When I hold these small treasures in my palm, I feel <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">their <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">li<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fe force</span></span></span> and look forward to watching seedlings emerge from soil, thrive and bloom, produce fruit, vegetables and seed for another season, before the plant dies<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQmMbiGsNQE6Lv_IPZUkz_odj-H0o1au6OQBT6_EHfOqkcFnMsg2XQy9G6BrEyFQNJWBOUUfGmSwQ81JNHMy8OsGJUdNsLRYr-714F8nR2D9PrpsCa6AIp8oU6ZEdE26YQfpJSVGbyT8/s1600/grannys+heirloom+seeds+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQmMbiGsNQE6Lv_IPZUkz_odj-H0o1au6OQBT6_EHfOqkcFnMsg2XQy9G6BrEyFQNJWBOUUfGmSwQ81JNHMy8OsGJUdNsLRYr-714F8nR2D9PrpsCa6AIp8oU6ZEdE26YQfpJSVGbyT8/s320/grannys+heirloom+seeds+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beans, Peas, Peanuts & Sunflowers: Seeds from my Grandmother</td></tr>
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Plant cycles are reminders of our own human mortality<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">S</span>hould we not all hope for productive days <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that allow us to create</span> beauty where we live? This spring, plan to share a plant or seeds with a special friend or family member and create your own living legacy. Someday, when a blossom is especially beautiful or a fruit unusually sweet, someone may fondly recall your life and smile at the memory. </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-88834038912349448642016-04-05T12:15:00.001-04:002016-04-05T12:15:06.269-04:00Spring Cleaning<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those pesk<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">y<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, forgetful squirrels. Every <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spring, I <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">am surprised</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">when plants bloom in unexpected places, moved to new locations by squirrels that intend to enjoy them as Winter food, but overlook the hidden treats.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> When blossoms appear far from area<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s I <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">planted</span>, I blame squirrels<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, but when I discover hidden foods in <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">freezers and pantry shelves, there is no one to blame but myself<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JA4-TUew7Ux5nyC6YJUUVdJTrJSth5n9k_8qA3jyTowkdsae5hMhvqc3Ar2nTAaShBn8_rghmEgQsMjDHafxRrgrtmnlHbnnz0n7LCw6p7mAyat81TjLd7TBPwz7QEcnpvyFcx4ZT9A/s1600/daffodil+squirrel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JA4-TUew7Ux5nyC6YJUUVdJTrJSth5n9k_8qA3jyTowkdsae5hMhvqc3Ar2nTAaShBn8_rghmEgQsMjDHafxRrgrtmnlHbnnz0n7LCw6p7mAyat81TjLd7TBPwz7QEcnpvyFcx4ZT9A/s320/daffodil+squirrel.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A lone daffodil blooms where a squirrel planted the bulb</span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spring cleaning at the farm <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">includes <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">job</span>s like</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">removing wire cages where they <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">supported last summer's tomatoes and peppers, pulling up metal and wood stakes<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and</span> setting fires to burn dried wee<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s and brush from <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fields.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVbklylDKelIHnrHDp46K08nA428zXjb5Zk4wQwzvJkGc9GsXy8y0YyDeQy2t8K9wwfDgLa7ldtGtwy25xJveCHrq0cBcY9GP7k0yZDLULvO1LTgdjJr3rwYDMrkyFZ4E933dtDsxBHY/s1600/spring+cleaning+fire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVbklylDKelIHnrHDp46K08nA428zXjb5Zk4wQwzvJkGc9GsXy8y0YyDeQy2t8K9wwfDgLa7ldtGtwy25xJveCHrq0cBcY9GP7k0yZDLULvO1LTgdjJr3rwYDMrkyFZ4E933dtDsxBHY/s320/spring+cleaning+fire.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Burning weeds, brush and broken stakes adds soil nutrients</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also</span> clean and rehang Purple Martin houses<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and t</span>he reward for that last task is seeing excited s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">couts arrive <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to inspect the homes. On March 25th, Good Friday, th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e</span> first bird appeared at <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heart & Sole, chattering excitedly and peering into the gourds. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hopefully,</span> they met with his approval and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he will bring </span>the rest of the family to join him<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in the near future. While this first <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Martin was a bit skittish, by the end of the season, the birds are used to our presence and al<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">low us to stand under the gourds and photograph them.</span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU50EiFAusKaaqgeCbb_SaT2rFbK5jjR7A6Mjey_bm7zd4Au17NUqaqU5y4BrBMCz6oerC9dcyLpO6h_NWEE-25wGgHBqf_wgaOrmXEzF2VMpjJFpdju7Qy_hQQRNmqtJUULgFl9kob4/s1600/farmmartins41814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU50EiFAusKaaqgeCbb_SaT2rFbK5jjR7A6Mjey_bm7zd4Au17NUqaqU5y4BrBMCz6oerC9dcyLpO6h_NWEE-25wGgHBqf_wgaOrmXEzF2VMpjJFpdju7Qy_hQQRNmqtJUULgFl9kob4/s320/farmmartins41814.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last Year's <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Purple Martin Group</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back at home, spring cleaning<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> tasks are a d<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ifferent sort of work. With <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Winter bowing to Spring's arrival, backyard gard<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ens, farm<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s and farmer's markets will soon yield fresh food for the dinner table. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While cutting</span> the season's first asparagus spears, I realized it was time to take inventory of preserved harvests in freezers, refrigerators and pantry shelves and make a concerted effort to use as much as possible <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">make room for this year's bounty. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZn-PM_bRmS3lf-hbwPme_R5eFb32pLdRyKNUNvKNUDV9C2rYKUEvOvnBJ13rCU6LmpU73zP4ZCn2oFWjUGyVZInbTy3zFjw8h8hbjybGY04A-rrJAaQ5D_89PplwLGg225An5hMEdNg/s1600/tomato+sauce+freezer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZn-PM_bRmS3lf-hbwPme_R5eFb32pLdRyKNUNvKNUDV9C2rYKUEvOvnBJ13rCU6LmpU73zP4ZCn2oFWjUGyVZInbTy3zFjw8h8hbjybGY04A-rrJAaQ5D_89PplwLGg225An5hMEdNg/s320/tomato+sauce+freezer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A bounty of roasted tomato sauce, preserved last summer</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After discovering</span> a treasure trov<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e of roasted tomato sauce, pickled eggplant, dried tomatoes, roasted peppers and other ingredients, I decided to combine as many of these foods as possible into a "Spring Cleaning" dish. Perhaps not one a squirrel would enjoy, but it certainly is a del<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">icious way to make room for <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">S</span>ummer's bounty.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5bbmze-l6lefEIOz1-qml4VP7btiUHtqZCUnIy3tOHXfXkv7EbW-T05w_uyFRuaOo_-CTxX8eU4YYrzS4l-fo6tBkHEI1UBvmM1f5u6YjEuZQl-iRpRTnnqS30yYsc-24d8-KiUJOzY/s1600/photo+1%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5bbmze-l6lefEIOz1-qml4VP7btiUHtqZCUnIy3tOHXfXkv7EbW-T05w_uyFRuaOo_-CTxX8eU4YYrzS4l-fo6tBkHEI1UBvmM1f5u6YjEuZQl-iRpRTnnqS30yYsc-24d8-KiUJOzY/s320/photo+1%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roast <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fresh tomatoes with onion, garlic, peppers & herbs, then freeze</span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Spring Cleaning Pu<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ttanesca Sauce</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*Although this Italian sauce's origin<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s are murk<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">y, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">one widely circulated story is that <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">prostitutes would place <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">simmering pots of this <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fragrant sauce <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">near their establishment's windows, in order to lure <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">male customers. Another source gives credit to a restaurant ow<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ner who was told to make "any kind of garbage" for hungry guests. Regardless of its <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">beginnings, there <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are no rules for combining ingredients in this sauce; if it is something you like, add it</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">omato base and a good bal<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ance of salty<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, your results will be delicious. Serve over past<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a or rice, along with crusty bread<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for a hearty meal.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 cups roasted tomato sauce with onion and garlic</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup pickled eggplant (<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for recipe, see <a href="http://heartandsolefood.blogspot.com/2014/10/exceptional-heirloom-eggplants.html">Eggplant)</a></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 cup dried tomatoes, chopped</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 - 1/2 cup roasted peppers, chopped</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1-2 tablespo<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ons capers</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kalamata olives, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">roughly chopped</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oregano, dried or fresh, salt and pepper to taste</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Com<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bine and simmer all ingredients in a medium pot over low heat until fragrant and bubbly. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Optional: <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">top with grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese.</span></span></span></span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span> </span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span> </span> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-54973801892301085342016-03-29T15:44:00.000-04:002016-03-29T15:44:02.358-04:00Traditional Gardening<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Almost everyone has a family tradition. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">M</span>any of my favorite childhood memories are tied to annual special events or practices. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wearing my grandmot<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">her's handmade </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mother's Day corsages<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, sharing my mother's New Year's Day breakfasts<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with</span> friends and family, enjoying a last-day-of-summer-vacation trip to Blowing Rock and Good Friday planting were some <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f our family traditions. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgcueYQp0-PKwPExw4WsQGnabJA0zzb-3g5cG6SuPGfTwwjvAnGXAMOy79SMbuav8-2vMl4yKFEB_woc2VQdCyuCc8joaH2fOAzOlYpYhFkJCbwMrI0Mepb44W_-pbqlJFuqEIhR6zqA/s1600/good+friday+beans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgcueYQp0-PKwPExw4WsQGnabJA0zzb-3g5cG6SuPGfTwwjvAnGXAMOy79SMbuav8-2vMl4yKFEB_woc2VQdCyuCc8joaH2fOAzOlYpYhFkJCbwMrI0Mepb44W_-pbqlJFuqEIhR6zqA/s320/good+friday+beans.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Planting Beans on Good Friday is a Family Tradition</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Throughout the world, many gardeners celebrate Good Friday<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> by placing seeds or plants in the ground. In our area, potatoes are <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the likely choice, but since my grandmother always planted beans on that <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holy</span> day, I keep her tradition alive and plant the same seeds she <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">inherited from her mother<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. My heirloom seed beans are White Mountain Half Runners and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">trace back five generations<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to the immigrant woman, Mary<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Schmidt B<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ean</span>, called "Polly" by her family, who brought them to the US from Germ<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">any<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in the early 1800s. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrY4Z9HwVtr8m8bxwdKndXh1vQxUvLh4oDIUAuFNQousDM0DjcIvXvvQGugmMVb_a0gHYRXWpKDYLgWOn72YV2vH4hAEIeLl3LesZdlWrfnCzdvACCjqQ5xF2DaK_9qpOBzsHs-fTjLw/s1600/Polly+Bean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrY4Z9HwVtr8m8bxwdKndXh1vQxUvLh4oDIUAuFNQousDM0DjcIvXvvQGugmMVb_a0gHYRXWpKDYLgWOn72YV2vH4hAEIeLl3LesZdlWrfnCzdvACCjqQ5xF2DaK_9qpOBzsHs-fTjLw/s320/Polly+Bean.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Polly Schmidt Bean, US Immigrant & Seed Saver</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last year's<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> April 3rd </span>Good Friday planting <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">restored my supply of pure seed<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, but since the 2016 traditional planting day is a week earlier, it is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">likely <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">our Western NC gardens could still expect a vis<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it from Jack F<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rost</span></span></span></span></span>; therefore, I only planted a twenty-five foot row of Granny's beans. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With luck and good weather, th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ese seeds <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">will</span> produce beans to enjoy eating fresh<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> from the vines <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by early summer</span>. When the crop is mature<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, the most beautiful bean pods will dry to serve as seed for next spring. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3vnO5qR6E0IqnKIbIp47J3L4qYFr4CtmlodbOA7TVDpAMBuqKiVsCwy1BTeuhjpaTltdrK9Ed2v5KExSsXoqmgfswvr-nO6O01nArqvvfHH1STL7yW4HPSOvvOtfTSvF4eDVv-ahXGE/s1600/good+friday+field.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3vnO5qR6E0IqnKIbIp47J3L4qYFr4CtmlodbOA7TVDpAMBuqKiVsCwy1BTeuhjpaTltdrK9Ed2v5KExSsXoqmgfswvr-nO6O01nArqvvfHH1STL7yW4HPSOvvOtfTSvF4eDVv-ahXGE/s320/good+friday+field.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good Friday <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">proved to be a glorious Spring day</span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Along with last year's seed, I also, just for <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">luck, added a few beans my grandmother saved fro<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">m her own garden. Granny died in 1986 and these seeds are <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">over thirty years old, but as I dropped seven "magic" beans into <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rich soil, I recited<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the names of all the<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> family seed savers I know. Polly, Dovie, Mary Elizabeth, Lora, Gladys, Cindy and Kate. While my dau<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ghter<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, Kate, is not yet a full-fledged seed saver, she is making plans to grow her own garden and I have no doubt <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">she will include <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Granny's</span> special beans<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and appreciate these inherited heirloom treasures as much as I do.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPkZytFAuPYRq__s5i3rLr-6fZif5E-VCMiLdAEUnju-SutJiTARRvE87vMX4FFh32VX_cM7Nxud7SVboO5IFXOhQWliX_tBmPGir0clAi7JQokvZe90ZnNnicU200_ckgH6_pSQPVy8/s1600/Grannys+beans+for+seed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPkZytFAuPYRq__s5i3rLr-6fZif5E-VCMiLdAEUnju-SutJiTARRvE87vMX4FFh32VX_cM7Nxud7SVboO5IFXOhQWliX_tBmPGir0clAi7JQokvZe90ZnNnicU200_ckgH6_pSQPVy8/s320/Grannys+beans+for+seed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Save <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s</span>eeds from the largest, most beautiful, beans</span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-72326924449832871842016-03-16T10:41:00.001-04:002016-03-16T10:41:17.277-04:00The Lost Recipe<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I was a child, my extended family gathered at my grandmother's home for holiday meals. Granny spent days preparing for such occasions and her table groaned from the weight of <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">heaping</span> bowls of green beans, creamed corn, buttered carrots and peas, platters of fried chicken, ham and deviled eggs. Gravy simmered on the stove, an array of cakes and pies lined the side counter and her fluffy biscuits, pulled from the oven as guests arrived, wafted aroma throughout the hous<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e. Family members enjoyed <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Granny's</span> potatoes, either mash<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ed or <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">stirred in<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a salad mix, but <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the</span> hand<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s-down favorite potato dish was somet<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hing she called "soupy potatoes."<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL34Bu97OlI5FWiOIemgjKRRIku1HRUCUVfCQ-qHSBA5IFYYtBQm-2aS3jRn89ChxzOEC3kJOMS828u5HPdNA1czOLUSJ7B-PRlOmFobacodZPO6S-J6QZDNEqNKC1QejwANN3QxaPvGg/s1600/potato+planting+pregame.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL34Bu97OlI5FWiOIemgjKRRIku1HRUCUVfCQ-qHSBA5IFYYtBQm-2aS3jRn89ChxzOEC3kJOMS828u5HPdNA1czOLUSJ7B-PRlOmFobacodZPO6S-J6QZDNEqNKC1QejwANN3QxaPvGg/s320/potato+planting+pregame.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Preparing Field for Potato Planting</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If comfort food could be defined by <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a single</span> dish, it would have to be Granny's soupy potatoes. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">S</span>lices of creamy po<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tato<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">thick, rich broth<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">,</span> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">seasoned with salt and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">buttery goodness<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. When Granny gave me he<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">r <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">recipe collection, short<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ly before her death, in 1986, I did not think to see if it included<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> favorite dishes. By the time I wished to try <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a hand at <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">recreating <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">taste memories, it was too late to ask for the soupy potato or sausage c<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ream gravy re<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cipe<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s</span>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Granny often made these and probably<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> never consulted a written recipe, relying on memory, texture and taste <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for consistent results. Several times, I attempted to make both, with disappointing results<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and resolved myself to the fact <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that the recipes were lost. And then, a rece<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nt visit with a relative yielded a surprising gift . . .<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbDAE5MHnrUcONJxfuk_MXZ11LI6A5iP1QxJYrrq6u9hZ04PIGGnTjOu6icg1kwEYLYzIJMX7IP7TyiNOi-VbTnynnlWmdv-jkApe84BVllBuAPQKi7ISvLkjOoJ8Qr54eHa7gbuIGAM/s1600/soupy+potatoes+in+pot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbDAE5MHnrUcONJxfuk_MXZ11LI6A5iP1QxJYrrq6u9hZ04PIGGnTjOu6icg1kwEYLYzIJMX7IP7TyiNOi-VbTnynnlWmdv-jkApe84BVllBuAPQKi7ISvLkjOoJ8Qr54eHa7gbuIGAM/s320/soupy+potatoes+in+pot.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soupy Potatoes Make Rich Broth</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My cousin<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, Ruth, an heirloom seed saver and unoffic<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ial family historian, welcomed me to her home and asked if I would like to see her personal reci<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pe collection. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As someone</span> who should be enrolled in a twe<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lve<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-step program to combat a cookbook addiction, </span></span></span></span></span> I jumped at the opportunity and whipped out my phone to snap photos of delicious looking recipes,<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">recorded in Ruth's handwriting<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Turning pages of cake, casserole and pie recipes, my hands began to shake when I read the words, "Soupy Potatoe<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s." Quickly, I scanned the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">four ingredients: Potatoes, Water, Salt, Butter. No cream? Could it really be that simple? Thanking Ruth for sh<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">aring a sp<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ecial gi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ft<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, I looked forward to sharing Soupy Potatoes with my family.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb-bnm9EXRbqmYXPkr4b4NA164Ty7dSJuY0DQw3S3xrXrLT6-G3ZSDwuuTF4433pDcI-LeXaFwvUIsB2plrTC2Zqs-B21gaF4NKH5yV96zjedlC7fsDfFtH-7OkNGCS1Owxuc4LXcFyk/s1600/kate+cuts+potatoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb-bnm9EXRbqmYXPkr4b4NA164Ty7dSJuY0DQw3S3xrXrLT6-G3ZSDwuuTF4433pDcI-LeXaFwvUIsB2plrTC2Zqs-B21gaF4NKH5yV96zjedlC7fsDfFtH-7OkNGCS1Owxuc4LXcFyk/s320/kate+cuts+potatoes.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kate <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">prepares potato "eyes" for planting</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">week, the soil at Heart & Sole Gardens was dry enough to turn and Richard and I, with help from our daughter, Kate<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and her friend, Joe Kinchen, planted about </span></span>70 p<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ounds of seed potatoes. Although several years ago, our friend and his Belgium workhorse <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">plowed potato rows for us, we <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">now rely <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on a 1970s Ford tractor, a workhorse in i<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ts own right. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGVOafZw9AwHvNhtO-Bx1Mq_VeLCgDGUOlL1M3JOUBzwyJaWVATSSJ-hAwQhmbMopWU43VbwlDSedt1UL3aUMYoFlhVYwJ2U86PiF2BHHPqNwdhp1i2adGtU-1qsm9GJyuvYP0yk87kw/s1600/joe+rb+burn+brush.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGVOafZw9AwHvNhtO-Bx1Mq_VeLCgDGUOlL1M3JOUBzwyJaWVATSSJ-hAwQhmbMopWU43VbwlDSedt1UL3aUMYoFlhVYwJ2U86PiF2BHHPqNwdhp1i2adGtU-1qsm9GJyuvYP0yk87kw/s320/joe+rb+burn+brush.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joe & Richard Clear Brush From <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Potato Field</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After sunset, with darkness falling, we proudly surveyed <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">four</span> neat, 200 foot rows<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> that, with optimal growing conditions, should produce around seven<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> hundred pounds of tubers. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg6Jvb5Kv9IV24KXP-WFmY-8D_qXk9GosyVw4g1ebZcNVRPMpG06FIgx5Qu7i1jLV3CEklTVPky1zhG1mKlbXa_ZuYKl4yV5Bh4DMiZ4CAOyPCr1rskMb8qetG2veSy2KVz6e8dsroMw/s1600/kateandbob+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg6Jvb5Kv9IV24KXP-WFmY-8D_qXk9GosyVw4g1ebZcNVRPMpG06FIgx5Qu7i1jLV3CEklTVPky1zhG1mKlbXa_ZuYKl4yV5Bh4DMiZ4CAOyPCr1rskMb8qetG2veSy2KVz6e8dsroMw/s200/kateandbob+001.jpg" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kate and Bob Plow, 2011</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTc4qexZyBf8q403zFv8JDsGHZ6eyPHr8uKbzT01BSVRVpQXjmWsdAUhcn6lBrfKnEUnxF0U35i8XIMWo_Jea3cy4gv7R9jiH0GPiTATjZXmrTSWh_3uHXg1uWC8jeI73Ykp0eBIYE5M/s1600/kate+on+tractor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTc4qexZyBf8q403zFv8JDsGHZ6eyPHr8uKbzT01BSVRVpQXjmWsdAUhcn6lBrfKnEUnxF0U35i8XIMWo_Jea3cy4gv7R9jiH0GPiTATjZXmrTSWh_3uHXg1uWC8jeI73Ykp0eBIYE5M/s200/kate+on+tractor.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate with 2016 "workhorse"</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">night, I pulled a few <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">potato<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">es we harvested in late fall from storage. Brushing away sprouts, I scrubbed them clean, marveling at <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">their firm texture and smooth skin<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. After peeling and slicing, I followed Ruth's recipe<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for Soupy Potatoes. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7GUH2LclNreznL0Y-fbJdefuYmcAh6ZpjF7LKP5fn-CaopwAjLfgL_tzAmhw0hvGWhg8U6DbqtWQLB0PlfOarGwEhSUiUa7NZ13EN8I3EznMjIp-aI5EpFULXJakd7jDXnDtiirMp3Y/s1600/potatoes+in+row.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7GUH2LclNreznL0Y-fbJdefuYmcAh6ZpjF7LKP5fn-CaopwAjLfgL_tzAmhw0hvGWhg8U6DbqtWQLB0PlfOarGwEhSUiUa7NZ13EN8I3EznMjIp-aI5EpFULXJakd7jDXnDtiirMp3Y/s320/potatoes+in+row.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cut Potatoes in Row</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Richard tasted the first bite, he <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">breathed, <i>"Comfort.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">" </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we ate, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he recalled elementary school cafeteria meals in Boone, back when workers actually cooked <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">food for children. I listened to my <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">family's <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">raucous laughter and chatter, a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">sound mem<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ory conjured by <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">familiar taste<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, as I savored Soupy Potatoes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Potatoes</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>. Water. Salt. Butter.</b> It really <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">was that simple.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*Note: <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For best results, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">avoi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d supermarket <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">russet</span>s. Those GMO spuds are <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">waxy and lack the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">flavor of "real" potatoes. If you do not grow your own, shop at local farmer's markets<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> or <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">make a friend who grow<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s potatoes. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v3KrJBN49XX0Qc5U8WBCzmvWycEDf70jfOfay16tv82KYdj-1nQPzSS9g_BHxnWN-cw_l_capRIIYbRlPZ3bdG7VBtXBtvf5WCauCnW50D7tGS_0AmIovM9llHQK726CqwxpSxoJXFA/s1600/Soupy+potatoes+recipe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v3KrJBN49XX0Qc5U8WBCzmvWycEDf70jfOfay16tv82KYdj-1nQPzSS9g_BHxnWN-cw_l_capRIIYbRlPZ3bdG7VBtXBtvf5WCauCnW50D7tGS_0AmIovM9llHQK726CqwxpSxoJXFA/s320/Soupy+potatoes+recipe.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soupy Potatoes</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-13581475968311014812016-03-01T13:05:00.000-05:002016-03-01T13:05:37.395-05:00Creasy Greens, Wild and Welcome Spring Harbinger<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recent warm days and bright sunshine encourage a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> vegetable</span> visitor<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'s</span> return to our North Carolina fields and backyards. Creasy greens, vibrant green leaves that pack nutritional punch along with peppery flavor, are in season. Beating asparagus by a few weeks, these spring harbingers are delicious wild edibles <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">credited with saving <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">early Appalachian pioneers from scurvy, a disease caused by lack of Vitamin C.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO7_tlTDVh6umBnQBAss0NzLvmbHwi5CNsRhs9hOGcZrTTXdXnz5bE3Y1hzzdHpgMlOwNexJeAZlzpcDF9HkftxLO02wcwzmXDY-LZeUh_CMXvRlygDqJ8ORQio7iNuLxaNv3R9vw9PU/s1600/wild+green+om.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO7_tlTDVh6umBnQBAss0NzLvmbHwi5CNsRhs9hOGcZrTTXdXnz5bE3Y1hzzdHpgMlOwNexJeAZlzpcDF9HkftxLO02wcwzmXDY-LZeUh_CMXvRlygDqJ8ORQio7iNuLxaNv3R9vw9PU/s320/wild+green+om.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wild Creasy Greens & Chickweed Make Delicious Omele<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>A walk through my backyard inspired me to gather creasy greens, wild onions and chickweed, a garden nemesis that happens to be delicious. If you would like to take advantage of "free food" currently available, gather a handful of creasy green leaves, a few wild onions and several sprigs of tender chickweed and try this omelet recipe. Beginning foragers should always harvest wild edibles with a mentor, but these ingredients are easy to identify and, sadly for those who try to eradicate them from pristine lawns, abundantly available. </b> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdMUYkubwWhqUJ9Fj6ilAJQpbwoxEq4J0ZMVD1s0UGsmFI9f3Ha4JbSHZcxl4bKtNppPLgxa07GsBUKwbcxezjURXNfwloQkTqRVsWbcQ4VRyeJnw0Rec6U0xuo8MG3UQ7k4I9Nyuhk4/s1600/wild+onion+cleaning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdMUYkubwWhqUJ9Fj6ilAJQpbwoxEq4J0ZMVD1s0UGsmFI9f3Ha4JbSHZcxl4bKtNppPLgxa07GsBUKwbcxezjURXNfwloQkTqRVsWbcQ4VRyeJnw0Rec6U0xuo8MG3UQ7k4I9Nyuhk4/s320/wild+onion+cleaning.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To clean, gently pull <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">outer skin from wild onions and snip roots from bulbs</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> other</span> recipe ideas or to learn more about <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spring's wild bounty, visit <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">earli<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">er <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">blog posts:</span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://heartandsolefood.blogspot.com/2015/04/battle-wild-onions-if-you-cant-beat-em.html">Battle Wild Onions</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://heartandsolefood.blogspot.com/2014/03/walk-and-eat-on-wild-side.html">Walk and Eat on the Wild Side</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a delicious, wild start to your day, try this omelet recipe for breakfast.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkVqZ0F16FAa3ipbXBswt4xT3g_wDE1d_rTSuzKR6YvYXiDNW_8ZWIO1NDWmYZoHSpnU_T-Jyl-Ubl5sSVy4xteyXQd390a8K5ccINqKQUdJ24Ui-BY7MIEKGpEwFSR0hkQ0mj6uFizc/s1600/wild+on+board.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkVqZ0F16FAa3ipbXBswt4xT3g_wDE1d_rTSuzKR6YvYXiDNW_8ZWIO1NDWmYZoHSpnU_T-Jyl-Ubl5sSVy4xteyXQd390a8K5ccINqKQUdJ24Ui-BY7MIEKGpEwFSR0hkQ0mj6uFizc/s320/wild+on+board.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few ingredients combine for great flavor</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wild Greens Omelet</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For each omelet:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup young creasy green leaves and chickweed sprigs</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon young wild onion, minced, about 4 onion bulbs and green tops </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 large eggs, beaten </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 scant tablespoon good quality olive oil</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJKdb1WN_jpJZE12WT_Ja0yOjpK1lVIaNTTj7SuQEUQE9rvW8xpRPgcfolBXN-IR_Jiiy2uJhKliF3GWXZhs8wi9kEAwBedV6aj0sQOBBfSZsdEGOXr0EvD4Dw1vV3cgLbT6-ELWF9Yo/s1600/wild+green+om+in+pan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJKdb1WN_jpJZE12WT_Ja0yOjpK1lVIaNTTj7SuQEUQE9rvW8xpRPgcfolBXN-IR_Jiiy2uJhKliF3GWXZhs8wi9kEAwBedV6aj0sQOBBfSZsdEGOXr0EvD4Dw1vV3cgLbT6-ELWF9Yo/s320/wild+green+om+in+pan.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very young leaves require no chopping</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium low heat. Add minced onion, toss and cook for no more than one minute.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour beaten eggs over onion and scatter greens over egg.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sprinkle cheese across greens and use spatula to fold omelet in half.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When omelet is set, slide onto serving plate.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>*Note: </b> Taste omelet before adding additional seasoning; I find the salty cheese and peppery greens to be perfect.</span> </span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-47979898226619005072016-02-22T14:04:00.001-05:002016-02-22T14:04:32.482-05:00Radishes, Ultimate Fast Food<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For a fast-growing c<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rop, choose</span></span> the radish, that peppery globe with raw crisp crunch and sweet roasted smoothness. With edible sprouts, leaves, roots, blossoms and seed pods, radishes are versatile and deserve to star in more <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">than salad dishes</span>. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5THNYq01Sl1WLSQthSUU27f1uoUQbdPSKFcQc2iZYWeALQAxYgi0exMFLPO1VVr9bGwlG8dRFsm6zyV1HbiYOtV8V3bXIiiLPRmfirnNYD9r3JuTykESMCzDgScVgXlE5iQ6FuJ4Tmc/s1600/Radish+Sauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5THNYq01Sl1WLSQthSUU27f1uoUQbdPSKFcQc2iZYWeALQAxYgi0exMFLPO1VVr9bGwlG8dRFsm6zyV1HbiYOtV8V3bXIiiLPRmfirnNYD9r3JuTykESMCzDgScVgXlE5iQ6FuJ4Tmc/s320/Radish+Sauce.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Raw Radish Sauce</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yielding mature vegetables within a few weeks, radishes are a perfect kid-friendly plant and since they grow well in a garden, raised bed or container, they are easy to maintain in early spring or fall. For containers, choose a pot that is at least 6 - 8 inches deep and fill with rich, loose organic soil. Outdoors, work in a few wood ashes to control pests and enrich the soil. Sprinkle seeds atop soil, as lightly as possible, and use hands to brush soil over the seeds. Water until soil is moist and when seedlings appear, within a few days, thin to allow a couple of inches growing room for remaining plants. Save thinned spouts to toss in salads or stir fry or enjoy eating as you work. For successive harvests, continue planting seeds every two weeks. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcwaQFXYQ0HBk3peSV4TSvwprWUMXtyRaW_rkueproF8TqI1mQVvCk8MoDNP0bddvdcWbBhZziEXkaCCsNCAGr5pB-zjSSlVc5PceodmM3iLTs01YlXF6tWau9hdAP5NtnulzsS0uxuM/s1600/Radish+conversation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcwaQFXYQ0HBk3peSV4TSvwprWUMXtyRaW_rkueproF8TqI1mQVvCk8MoDNP0bddvdcWbBhZziEXkaCCsNCAGr5pB-zjSSlVc5PceodmM3iLTs01YlXF6tWau9hdAP5NtnulzsS0uxuM/s320/Radish+conversation.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unthinned carrots produce interesting shapes</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When it comes to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">eating radishes, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">recipe possibilities are only limited by lack of imagination. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When cooked, t</span>he slightly pri<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ckly leaves are vel<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">vety smooth and make a delicious soup. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the recipe, s</span>ee earlier blog, <a href="http://heartandsolefood.blogspot.com/2014/04/ready-for-radishes.html">Ready for Radishes</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For a traditional French treat, serve m</span>ature radishes<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, scrubbed clean and sliced or served whole<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with butter or cream cheese and a sprinkling of co<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">arse salt<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Roast radishes<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> alone or with other root vegetables <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for a side dish. Use blossoms as garnish or <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">addition to a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n edible flower salad. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Add seed pods to any stir fry or <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">quickly cook them alone or with sugar snap peas <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in a bit of hot oil<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for complementary flavor and visual inter<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">est. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AsejRUE1OjlH8wCtgnD0xXNa0MPwxXKS9fbCyRut0WtoKf_dOi3n7ArUMeRrV4-Sj3HoUrIhVc1hXAebM7fzi4qMpcGkTOXrwvDVtAv-OYv2XSv-TS1UvkzXCe0VT3AKUybwz8lxL1o/s1600/Radish+Handful.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AsejRUE1OjlH8wCtgnD0xXNa0MPwxXKS9fbCyRut0WtoKf_dOi3n7ArUMeRrV4-Sj3HoUrIhVc1hXAebM7fzi4qMpcGkTOXrwvDVtAv-OYv2XSv-TS1UvkzXCe0VT3AKUybwz8lxL1o/s320/Radish+Handful.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not all heirloom radishes are roun<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of my favorite r<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">adish recipes is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">from a 1982 <i>Bon App<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tit </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cookbook. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A lovely pink color, </span>Raw Radish Sauce is</span></span> perfect for baby or bridal shower parties and is delicious as a sandwich condiment, raw celery filler<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, dip for chips or crackers or just eaten with a spoon. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stir into hot pasta for a creamy sauce or plop a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dollop on a baked potato. When it comes to this sauce, there is no <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bad way to serve. Well, it probab<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ly would not go well with coconut cake. . . but then again, it might be worth a try.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Raw Radish Sauce</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>(Adapted from Cooking With Bon Appetit: Appetizers, 1982)</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fresh radishes to y<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ield 1 cup finely chopped<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, about 12 - 1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4</span> medium/large, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rem<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ove tops and tap roots, scrub and quarter</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 8-ounce package cream cheese, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">room temperature</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 garlic clove<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, minced</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/4 teaspoon salt</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon fresh dil<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">l</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8 teaspoon ground white pepper</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Place all ingredients in food processor and process until smooth.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Put mixture in container with lid, refrigerate about 4 hours before serving. </span></span></span></span> </span> </span><i> </i><b> </b> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-43449877091091248762016-02-10T09:56:00.001-05:002016-02-10T09:56:29.268-05:00Hallowed, Fallow Ground<span style="font-size: large;">Driving along the gravel, single-lane road, I glance to the right and note the manicured lawn. Marred only by rain-deprived browned grass, the level area serves as backyard to a fine home. As I peer closely, I see a rectangular outline of darker green grass and along that border, a stack of wire cages near a pile of compost, remnants of a once-productive, thriving backyard garden. The gardener died, but the sweat from his brow, his tender care of plants and his eternal gardener's optimism remain, both in memory and soil he worked. Maybe invisible to our human eyes, but that ground is special and, perhaps in the future, will again produce fruits and vegetables. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjnG67PCq1bGcq897Tb13OePOPfx4r5GqTsqmRIvT8374YsZavTx9XvdbLXR0j6dkgHkasbCaSGKx_y9KY9dDQ4kVDgC-h2HWJ4_u_gzjxyBn68fHNm3WQAyqC1iSavRczsFr9JOU0k4/s1600/Jim+Clark%2527s+garden+site.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjnG67PCq1bGcq897Tb13OePOPfx4r5GqTsqmRIvT8374YsZavTx9XvdbLXR0j6dkgHkasbCaSGKx_y9KY9dDQ4kVDgC-h2HWJ4_u_gzjxyBn68fHNm3WQAyqC1iSavRczsFr9JOU0k4/s320/Jim+Clark%2527s+garden+site.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This backyard used to be a productive garden site</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know what it is like to reclaim fallow land for farming. In 2008, my husband and I visited his family's farm in the Gamewell community of Caldwell County and found weeds, trees, shrubs and a poorly engineered highway runoff area that dumped rainwater into a newly formed swamp. Fallow for over forty years, this land spoke to us, whispering growth potential. We imagined future rows of heirloom tomatoes, beans and okra where the untamed property lay. We planned to drain the swamp and direct runoff water in the direction it needed to flow. We strolled along the banks of an adjoining creek and saw possibilities for irrigation during droughts. Maybe we peered through rose colored glasses, but we were ready to accept the physical challenges of organic gardening.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrhvX9ZmCvcmr2MOM8BKlj3FOxa-_OaV9yfKh0oltZ3V3GaTmdPXUdLjjwzZTY4ORmsozQ-xG596b8NbSCC_9XfRNu8xso7c4H5E81bl6UM8kTyXCgM0U3KHzBLrdwFKNVrTCWGaEyis/s1600/farmfeb6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrhvX9ZmCvcmr2MOM8BKlj3FOxa-_OaV9yfKh0oltZ3V3GaTmdPXUdLjjwzZTY4ORmsozQ-xG596b8NbSCC_9XfRNu8xso7c4H5E81bl6UM8kTyXCgM0U3KHzBLrdwFKNVrTCWGaEyis/s320/farmfeb6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearing Brush at Heart & Sole Gardens, February, 2008</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friends and hired workers helped clear the land. We burned brush, adding nutrients to the soil and opening areas to receive sunlight. When my parents presented us with heirloom seeds from their freezer, saved by my grandmothers years earlier, we discovered not only was the physical work improving our bodies, but the emotional connection to food was touching our souls. Each time we turned soil, treasures appeared. Horse shoes. The circular covering from a wagon wheel. Links of rusted chain. Tangible reminders of farmers who worked the land before our time. Intrinsic hints about our own mortality. Promises that time would, perhaps, allow this fertile soil to produce food long after we no longer farm. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7vc31_AFyf6zKBACp3Tok4NvdFKyb9_GKT3OdVwvqE0ed1N4ZCeYmi67Dt_pmo2hNk8fggM-rpZJcL4rSPTBw_-tAyDtZ1w_pb8jjj3BQ2LPoMl6r0DhPAT5izsL8_26Pv_ESavhnmc/s1600/farm+pottery+shard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7vc31_AFyf6zKBACp3Tok4NvdFKyb9_GKT3OdVwvqE0ed1N4ZCeYmi67Dt_pmo2hNk8fggM-rpZJcL4rSPTBw_-tAyDtZ1w_pb8jjj3BQ2LPoMl6r0DhPAT5izsL8_26Pv_ESavhnmc/s320/farm+pottery+shard.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pottery Shard Revealed by Tiller</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In September, recalling my maternal grandmother's garden, a large expanse of property that produced abundant harvests, I decided to pay a visit, in hopes I would find a carefully tended autumn garden. As I pulled into a street, much shorter than my childhood memory of it, there was no sign to indicate anyone lived at my grandmother's former home or at the one where I lived as a young child, but a neighbor was building a new front porch on his house. I explained why I was there and the man offered to allow me to walk through his backyard to where the garden used to be, but when I reached the area where huge sunflowers once bloomed, I found tall trees growing among bushy shrubs and weeds so thick, it was impossible to walk through them. Dismayed, I walked along what used to be a well maintained garden's edge until I came to the end where an apple tree used to stand, its small, tart green apples a taste memory I love. I held hope the tree might still be living and I could take a small cutting, but there was no sign it ever existed. As I turned to leave, I noticed a particularly tall weed and when I realized it was pokeweed, I smiled. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFakWyfcFN4WdkFft0Ms7X59IoWM8TbwhcjN3JVok1qGR3T5QClPICE-4xHOOzjKuFK0ifINn0VLnKJ9c2Hm3WrBlgTe9SDJtliXuGZTgcUzs86Nl0x9mKLcQch0oswcyGQeWG9hiPha4/s1600/Granny%2527s+garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFakWyfcFN4WdkFft0Ms7X59IoWM8TbwhcjN3JVok1qGR3T5QClPICE-4xHOOzjKuFK0ifINn0VLnKJ9c2Hm3WrBlgTe9SDJtliXuGZTgcUzs86Nl0x9mKLcQch0oswcyGQeWG9hiPha4/s320/Granny%2527s+garden.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pokeweed grows in Granny's former garden</td></tr>
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Every spring, Granny gathered young leaves from pokeweed to make a cooked salad. I often accompanied her to help gather the leaves, but do not remember the wild plant growing near her home. To find this familiar weed, drying in the autumn sunshine, growing where Granny's White Mountain Half Runner beans once thrived, was like receiving a wink from the past. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I took my leave, I paused to thank the man who allowed me to stroll across his property and a young girl appeared at his side. Six years old, the man's daughter shyly smiled as I told her I used to live on the same street when I was her age. I described my grandmother's garden and how I used to help pull weeds and pick vegetables and fruits. The girl's brown eyes brightened and as I drove away, I hoped her family would plant a garden in their backyard, only feet away from where Granny's grew. Perhaps, when spring warms the soil and frost danger is over, I will pay another visit and take some of Granny's heirloom seeds to the young girl. I think Granny would like that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pokeweed Salad</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*Note: Pokeweed can be toxic and this recipe should only be prepared with leaves that are very young and tender. If cooking pokeweed for the first time, it is best to pick leaves with one who is experienced with harvesting. Pokeweed berries are toxic, but make a beautiful dye for fabric or baskets. This recipe is a traditional Southern Appalachian preparation. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wash about 1 pound fresh, tender young pokeweed leaves, cover with water and bring to a boil in a large pot. Cook 20 minutes, then drain water and rinse pokeweed with fresh water. Again, fill the pot with water, bring to a boil with the leaves and cook for another 20 minutes. Drain pokeweed and again rinse with fresh water. For a third time, add water to pokeweed and bring to a boil. Cook for another 20 minutes, then drain water and rinse pokeweed. Pat leaves dry or use a salad spinner to remove water.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In a large cast iron skillet, heat bacon fat until smoking hot. Add cooked pokeweed leaves and lower heat. Stir leaves with hot fat for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, along with red pepper flakes or hot sauce, if you like a spicy kick.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Serve pokeweed salad with crumbled bacon and vinegar on the side.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-54672291101263672332016-02-04T12:14:00.000-05:002016-02-04T12:14:42.618-05:00One Hot Pepper<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I learned the meaning of the word "ornamental" when<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, at about three years of age, I tasted one of my grandmother's<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>peppers. Growing on a small bushy plant, the bright colors enticed me to pop a small fruit in my mouth where the searing heat exploded. As she dried my tears, my grandmother explained she grew the pretty peppers for beauty, not for food. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now that I grow peppers in my own garden, I appreciate their <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">eye candy</span> and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">respect the powerful punch<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of capsaicin, th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e spicy substance that gives peppers heat.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMGz4zMz4Ku_GETlIKZfX1ISJE-7lDl33AtMFZ5nBRK4cWl4MjSyOA6AxE53dYulPtN3b9No5YFqp75dEmp5TE2ZAV3SZ1vlmfp3TOUhTEHxBjJnGZs8SIDfG-h-8rSNJsTNnsfYlLJo/s1600/Omnicolor+peppers+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMGz4zMz4Ku_GETlIKZfX1ISJE-7lDl33AtMFZ5nBRK4cWl4MjSyOA6AxE53dYulPtN3b9No5YFqp75dEmp5TE2ZAV3SZ1vlmfp3TOUhTEHxBjJnGZs8SIDfG-h-8rSNJsTNnsfYlLJo/s320/Omnicolor+peppers+%25282%2529.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Omnicolor Peppers, Beautiful & HOT</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">I first learned of Padron peppers several years ago while flipping through the pages of a travel magazine. A beautiful photograph of a platter of roasted peppers, deep green and liberally sprinkled with coarse salt, caught my eye. I paused to read the article and what I read made me long to taste <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Padron peppers, <i>pimientos de padron</i>, named for t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he area of Northwest Spain where they grew</span></span>. Alas, I could find no source to buy Padron peppers or seeds to grow my own, but the travel writer's mouth-watering description became a gardener's mental note. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNEZn8K3mlqMMm1HQtPQO2sz4gqDSvS5jn222ABYvilj_5C_7I0EP1HpuDsRbOvDxW8R3Op0SL1Zzc6v14eUQAUn4FxXe_V_WNkqC9T5OrU1NfwajQujWLgeom8apGt66ilE41QtLdgM/s1600/Padron+Peppers+Curate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNEZn8K3mlqMMm1HQtPQO2sz4gqDSvS5jn222ABYvilj_5C_7I0EP1HpuDsRbOvDxW8R3Op0SL1Zzc6v14eUQAUn4FxXe_V_WNkqC9T5OrU1NfwajQujWLgeom8apGt66ilE41QtLdgM/s400/Padron+Peppers+Curate.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Curate's Padron Peppers with Bo<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nito Tuna</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last fall, while visiting Asheville, my husband and I dined at Curate, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a downtown Spanish tapas restaurant owned by award winning chef Katie Button. On the menu was Padron peppers and we were powerless to resist this dish,<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> which arrived at the table sizzling hot, topped with <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bonito tuna flakes that danced in the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pepper's heat, creating the effect of dinner and show on the plate. We eagerly settled in for a game of Capsaicin Roulette.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within the past five years or so, US growers discovered the delicious <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">appeal of Padron peppers and they are<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> available in<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>markets during their early summer to late autumn season<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some cooks substitute Japanese <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">S</span>hishito peppers when Padron<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s are not available, but I predict North Carolina will prove to be an excellent growing environment for Padrons</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, making them readily avail<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">able for restaurants and farmer's markets. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pUCmoNMvMkEjKQJxaL1VYaT3ebHXpcwsW2Jvg9uKPORIU26cacpD0lB8mBqba3dvD_bBt2pdo6dmjxcYSXbFtD92h4UEgbIGZOSz4nvWThMxxnFfpuRqKJPFhq6mAZMBBfZbBxd2OYk/s1600/Padron+Pepper+Seeds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pUCmoNMvMkEjKQJxaL1VYaT3ebHXpcwsW2Jvg9uKPORIU26cacpD0lB8mBqba3dvD_bBt2pdo6dmjxcYSXbFtD92h4UEgbIGZOSz4nvWThMxxnFfpuRqKJPFhq6mAZMBBfZbBxd2OYk/s320/Padron+Pepper+Seeds.JPG" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Excitement in the Garden, Order Padron Seeds</span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Padron </span></span>peppers <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are harvested wh<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">en</span> the fruit is small, about 1 1/2 - 2 inches in length and while most peppers <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are</span> mild in flavor, about <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ten percent pack wicked heat<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Traditionally, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">P</span>adrons are roasted or pan<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-blistered<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and served with a sprinkling <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of coarse <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">salt<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and the only way to tell if a pepper is hot or mild is to eat it, making them interesting party food. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a hot <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Padron can feel like a blowtorch blasting one's <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">palate</span>, the delightful mild pepper<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> flavor balances the tightrope walk of anticipation<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> when en<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">joying</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Padrons. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When shopping at farmer's markets or dining in local restaurants this summer, keep an eye out for Padron peppers. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is r</span>id<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">iculously simple to prepare fresh peppers, </span></span>but be sure to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ser<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ve plenty of cooling beverages alongsid<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e</span>. Just in case . . .</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Bl<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">istered Padron Peppers</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fresh Padron peppers, washed</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">O<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">live oil, about 1 tablespoon per handful of peppers</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coarse sea salt</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heat oil in cast iron skillet until smoking hot. Add peppers and toss. When <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">peppers begin to blis<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">er, remove from pan and sprinkle with salt. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span> </span> </span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-25788847551601723472016-01-26T16:12:00.000-05:002016-01-26T16:12:30.529-05:00Cool Beans<span style="font-size: large;">I believe in the power of heirloom seeds. Although it may take a few growing seasons before some crops adapt to a new environment, if the gardener saves the best seed specimens for subsequent plantings, these smart plants will thrive in a variety of growing conditions, produce abundantly and develop resistance to pests. At Heart & Sole Gardens, two bean varieties are excellent examples of how heirloom seeds acclimate to geographic areas.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobRNNYo34fNRyVZj7v-sx-p6PYlzDew_-tFYFHr5elhZpB8CpbBiNOxw3rL2bCWVMNq7ILSgGImh_EjPKQhyphenhyphenOGVWekxUWJaT4npg8l9GgjLwuJ6iTLraDSYAZ-QLHYroDcoRqEu6ALIo/s1600/Grannys+beans+for+seed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobRNNYo34fNRyVZj7v-sx-p6PYlzDew_-tFYFHr5elhZpB8CpbBiNOxw3rL2bCWVMNq7ILSgGImh_EjPKQhyphenhyphenOGVWekxUWJaT4npg8l9GgjLwuJ6iTLraDSYAZ-QLHYroDcoRqEu6ALIo/s320/Grannys+beans+for+seed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny's Beans, Growing in 2015 from Pre-1985 Seed</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For many years, my maternal grandmother, Lora Bolick Minton, grew a large vegetable garden and saved seeds from her plants. Most of the seeds she planted were inherited from immigrant ancestors who brought them from Germany. After my grandmother died, in 1986, my parents stored her seeds in their freezer and when I cultivated a large 2008 garden, they offered me the seeds. I planted Granny's beans in 2009 and, even though these seeds were dormant for almost twenty-five years, the plants thrived and I harvested bushels of Mountaineer White Half Runner beans. Despite the abundant yield, I made a terrible mistake.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiHL7LjdlkCTXT95KELx62lxPvE52Br3eJX7E1NrPjJQm24tT8aCDkZnCMRHCT8J_gk_Qn4EMALjP8BGlzbxH-AoZ9p4bMNbewpOQ_th-H1hG8EIaoM607lsORNkSef3-4Hc0o8WHBYo/s1600/Dilly+beans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiHL7LjdlkCTXT95KELx62lxPvE52Br3eJX7E1NrPjJQm24tT8aCDkZnCMRHCT8J_gk_Qn4EMALjP8BGlzbxH-AoZ9p4bMNbewpOQ_th-H1hG8EIaoM607lsORNkSef3-4Hc0o8WHBYo/s320/Dilly+beans.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickled Dilly Beans, A Favorite Family Treat</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because I love to grow a variety of plants and seed catalogs' colorful photographs and exotic descriptions entice me to order, my 2010 garden included several varieties of beans. Unfortunately, I neglected to separate each type by a sufficient distance and hardworking pollinators carried pollen from blossom to blossom, resulting in seeds that, when planted in 2011, produced beans that were not true to type, but carried traits from many parents. Although these "mutt" heirlooms were delicious, I resolved to maintain true seed for my grandmother's beans.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kxNMhaaAwNZHJSEoHyXFEoaMJR17lIbSJnxmAGHKo7PkcBBKSDShefAMB2xUXvtdyvp1sKGfKzYF7yPU4kfuREMGtYANfugLxRs_Z1yw2NdiCQSGoK5qpgyEpSNxpaY08bqw_gTHtKY/s1600/grannys+bean+stake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kxNMhaaAwNZHJSEoHyXFEoaMJR17lIbSJnxmAGHKo7PkcBBKSDShefAMB2xUXvtdyvp1sKGfKzYF7yPU4kfuREMGtYANfugLxRs_Z1yw2NdiCQSGoK5qpgyEpSNxpaY08bqw_gTHtKY/s320/grannys+bean+stake.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Friday Planting Restored Pure Seed Stock</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Fortunately, I still had a few pre-1985 bean seeds stored in my freezer and I decided to plant them on Good Friday, a traditional planting day, for an extra measure of luck. Though the seeds were at least thirty years old and April 3rd was early enough to flirt with killing frost danger, the seeds germinated well, produced strong vines and enough beans to replenish my true seed supply as well as plenty for pickling, canning and eating fresh. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigucXobck2IIy40mbu-_P35X92A5g6WtC_bHrEHivRhUQmQKgSZZ3nPltb0Kemgubf2gmXAivhES15NDMcw3Nw1rjohVb2MX5-ewdsfQpLomINh_hPTB0S9ozKa8DBQ0x9yx7KZ3wRUQ0/s1600/Teds+beans+hand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigucXobck2IIy40mbu-_P35X92A5g6WtC_bHrEHivRhUQmQKgSZZ3nPltb0Kemgubf2gmXAivhES15NDMcw3Nw1rjohVb2MX5-ewdsfQpLomINh_hPTB0S9ozKa8DBQ0x9yx7KZ3wRUQ0/s320/Teds+beans+hand.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ted's Butter Beans</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another heirloom bean I love is one that Cranberry, NC, resident and lifelong farmer, Ted Hoilman, shared with me and friend, Kim Barnhardt. Generations of Ted's family grew these heirlooms and the colors are beautiful, the beans large and the flavor delicious. Since these seeds are acclimated to a cooler growing environment, they thrive in Kim's mountain garden, but struggle in my Caldwell County climate. After saving a small amount of seeds for the past few years, 2015's crop seems to be well adapted to a new growing region and, with good growing conditions, should produce well for 2016. Learning from past mistakes, I now separate beans at Heart & Sole, with hope to pass true seed to the next generation of family gardeners. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeojONbyQv3PN-BIZpbqcL3LLN_3kqWyFqNypgcyToBuH2QlYgxnc_UEiOje_J4nEq3KuME3rHytWDSuCi6cT35LIOu6RR6x9t3APoXJb0KpvsTDslPKXET9sh2WOTHFQD7UlmZHWLH8/s1600/Teds+beans+bloom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeojONbyQv3PN-BIZpbqcL3LLN_3kqWyFqNypgcyToBuH2QlYgxnc_UEiOje_J4nEq3KuME3rHytWDSuCi6cT35LIOu6RR6x9t3APoXJb0KpvsTDslPKXET9sh2WOTHFQD7UlmZHWLH8/s320/Teds+beans+bloom.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Butter Bean Blossoms</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was a child, my grandmother picked bushels of green beans every summer. I remember the snap, snap of beans as my grandmother, mother and aunt, prepared them for canning and the distinctive fragrance of cooking beans wafting from the kitchen. Our family ate canned green beans several times each week and I recall a trip to the coast when we made green bean sandwiches from the jars we packed for the trek. Although I use my canned beans for many recipes, the following is one that is a traditional family preparation. Now that I think about it, green bean sandwiches would be fun to try as an adult . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Southern Style Green Beans</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*I remember beans from my childhood were cooked until almost mush, but for optimum flavor and texture, do not overcook.<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 slices smoked pork side meat (or thick bacon)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or olive oil)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 medium onion, diced</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 quarts canned green beans or 3-4 pounds fresh snap beans, strings removed, washed and cut or broken to 2-3 inch pieces</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Heat oil in a large Dutch oven and slowly cook meat until fat renders. Remove meat or leave in pot.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Add onion and stir to coat with oil/fat. Cook over low heat until tender, about 4 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Add beans and enough water to just cover.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Add 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, few grinds of black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon onion granules and 1/4 teaspoon garlic granules. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Place lid on pot and cook until beans are tender.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Vegetarians may omit pork and increase oil to 2 tablespoons.</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-73905266394746386272016-01-17T16:26:00.001-05:002016-01-17T16:40:06.077-05:00What Lies Beneath? Baby Carrots!<span style="font-size: large;">As a four-year-old child, I watched my father take the frilly green leaves in his hand and pull. To my astonishment, a long, bright orange vegetable emerged from the soil. Although that first experience with pulling carrots was many years ago, the tantalizing excitement of discovery still exists when I harvest those root vegetables. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_hEVpn0PL5Dmf9_Alfag1TVLS7jvIuTZ8R9O7TZwQXr7OKPqmWKvIFYtC_9XhRhiS8wq7Ihz_bEasEFHIPqA7U3tEEJNBKtJcJGNAgQ6FDJxr8DD528wZcVCIcdycQ4rTvTdaaDoBIQ/s1600/Carrots+baby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_hEVpn0PL5Dmf9_Alfag1TVLS7jvIuTZ8R9O7TZwQXr7OKPqmWKvIFYtC_9XhRhiS8wq7Ihz_bEasEFHIPqA7U3tEEJNBKtJcJGNAgQ6FDJxr8DD528wZcVCIcdycQ4rTvTdaaDoBIQ/s320/Carrots+baby.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful Baby Carrots</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Carrots are a satisfying crop to grow. With good germination and few pests, carrots thrive in cool weather and yield both spring and fall harvests. Carrots grow best in loose soil and raised rows, created with a hiller tractor attachment, are ideal for root development. Of course, it also works to use a rake or hoe to make a raised row, with the added benefit of an ab workout! Sow carrot seeds along the row top and lightly cover with soil, brushing hands across the seeds or using a push broom for larger areas and keep soil lightly moist. When seeds germinate, in about 2-3 weeks, allow carrots to grow to a height of approximately 2-3 inches before thinning. Use scissors to snip tops or gently pull smaller plants to allow remaining roots to grow straight. After plants reach a height of about 4-5 inches, thin a second time. Thinning is a stressful job and requires one to channel an inner Morticia. After all, it is not easy to decide who will live and who will die . . .</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZ3XkTq2WiUhdOVyFjrPMhgqJsrGl9Olibp8j8Ik5nO4qWMhX10J5co_wvx-W8EATpddUc7VhUVtrb98gSRYXjQBC428vNzUaK8Vu3-OmRFkGTXsnOmD-xvbgVSVvaEUV2goqlGbDqv0/s1600/179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZ3XkTq2WiUhdOVyFjrPMhgqJsrGl9Olibp8j8Ik5nO4qWMhX10J5co_wvx-W8EATpddUc7VhUVtrb98gSRYXjQBC428vNzUaK8Vu3-OmRFkGTXsnOmD-xvbgVSVvaEUV2goqlGbDqv0/s320/179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If carrots are not thinned, roots create interesting "dancers"</td></tr>
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During a recent trip to Charleston, SC, we visited several popular restaurants and enjoyed delicious meals, including a to-die-for burger at Husk, but one simple dish captured the essence of one of my favorite vegetables. FIG (Food is Good), located in Downtown Charleston, led by James Beard Foundation's 2014 Best Chef Southeast, James Stanhope, serves a simple salad with complex flavor and interesting texture. Listed on the menu as "Spiced and Roasted Carrot Salad: greek yogurt, pine nuts, mint," this delightful concoction of baby carrots, nuts and tiny fresh mint leaves lingered in my taste memory. Since I happen to have a nice row of colorful baby carrots at Heart & Sole, I decided to try to recreate this salad. Excellent as a side dish and hearty enough for a vegetarian entree, grab some baby carrots and try this recipe. If you want to experience the joy of pulling surprises from the ground, make plans now to plant a row of heirlooms for spring harvest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Roasted Spiced Baby Carrots with Greek Yogurt Dressing</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lightly toast 1/3 cup pine nuts until fragrant, set aside to cool</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon white vinegar (I used homemade, flavored with Thai herbs), 1/4 cup good quality olive oil, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon fresh minced dill, few grinds black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 pound baby carrots, scrubbed and greens trimmed (reserve tops for another use)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tablespoon good quality olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 teaspoon salt (I used French Grey Sea Salt)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Several grinds black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 teaspoon ground ginger</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (for best results, grind from whole)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Place carrots in a ziplock bag and add oil and spices. Toss to combine and refrigerate for about an hour or so.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth375TBf2XkWpztsxBngW2UXySvcgCxpOy2odPfKHC0MQY0FBcJ6dPdUohRwOd1mm6R1mEKkeCLw-mHip3UOxsaQ4OfHxJvvzPhxKHJWup7OFQHC28UNHqbOapN-cSrDgrDe0i-ZtfuM/s1600/carrots+roasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth375TBf2XkWpztsxBngW2UXySvcgCxpOy2odPfKHC0MQY0FBcJ6dPdUohRwOd1mm6R1mEKkeCLw-mHip3UOxsaQ4OfHxJvvzPhxKHJWup7OFQHC28UNHqbOapN-cSrDgrDe0i-ZtfuM/s320/carrots+roasting.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast carrots until fork tender</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Place carrots in a small roasting pan and roast in a preheated 450 degree oven until fork tender, stirring every five minutes, until carrots are fork tender, about 20-30 minutes. Do not overcook carrots; they should retain a bit of crunch.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In a large bowl, combine carrots with nuts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Serve with dressing and scatter fresh mint leaves over top.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tkfb4b6jNbMYdmpRMT83thKnFXogbOYR1tvNsTe8r0uBJ_Z4sw1lCh5JObSzM9-7DToddLEArK9x1jtLIUdfb9s-af3LmAWXGjvI7oWQr27Y4nI_9dg_3DYRluh6uUtE8TEcMsSyU98/s1600/carrots+roasted+dressing+mint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tkfb4b6jNbMYdmpRMT83thKnFXogbOYR1tvNsTe8r0uBJ_Z4sw1lCh5JObSzM9-7DToddLEArK9x1jtLIUdfb9s-af3LmAWXGjvI7oWQr27Y4nI_9dg_3DYRluh6uUtE8TEcMsSyU98/s320/carrots+roasted+dressing+mint.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-77747021661390449312016-01-07T13:36:00.003-05:002016-01-07T14:25:52.960-05:00Five Growing Trends for 2016<span style="font-size: large;">Here we go again. The New Year's Eve confetti is scarcely swept away before it seems every marketing expert is primed to direct our attention to what is new and different for 2016 lives. The "it" colors for this year? Pink and blue. . . sorry, but the 1980s combo will not reappear in my home. That 1986 mauve dining room, a shade too close to Pepto-Bismol for comfort, is best left to the young and impressionable. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJB6ga_5-8WU2xLYMCc7Mu7TT9fXT_etMiYVuuRqU0pMgcU7tx9ug8Cecl12q7QbI_R7G_Q940FeKtkulBhRAyQUiPbmHaFAyrMJlZuFC1U5C50lJcD4kihu2N9Uu9WpFFL54K0a1vWCc/s1600/blossom+salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJB6ga_5-8WU2xLYMCc7Mu7TT9fXT_etMiYVuuRqU0pMgcU7tx9ug8Cecl12q7QbI_R7G_Q940FeKtkulBhRAyQUiPbmHaFAyrMJlZuFC1U5C50lJcD4kihu2N9Uu9WpFFL54K0a1vWCc/s320/blossom+salad.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful Blossoms Make Beautiful Salad</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's time to make plans for what to plant, where to plant and how to plant in the 2016 garden and, even for die-hard growers who stick to a strict annual plan, there are enticing possibilities available. While I am certainly no expert and my trendy selections are based entirely on unscientific sources like farmer's markets, my own experiments and chef/restaurant order requests, the following list includes plants I think will prove to be popular in 2016 gardens. So, visit your local hardware and gardening store and purchase seeds or plants. Even if you find something you grow to be unappealing, at least you can eat it. Unlike that queasy dining room. . .</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStU4HEmnvtF0XN_mU0g6sIVxUxz7Z3mKzhIFR8JExcXaLF4Qt6ibNL9JrEy_HMAiBe13hTy90FhaD5l8SSPCdmKoKF9MUC3Dn7wKiBJRrgGiUsRSI8b1ADWnaVBLzeiLF6V-K4RevOno/s1600/farmredokrabloompod.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStU4HEmnvtF0XN_mU0g6sIVxUxz7Z3mKzhIFR8JExcXaLF4Qt6ibNL9JrEy_HMAiBe13hTy90FhaD5l8SSPCdmKoKF9MUC3Dn7wKiBJRrgGiUsRSI8b1ADWnaVBLzeiLF6V-K4RevOno/s320/farmredokrabloompod.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okra Blossoms and Pods, Tasty Edibles</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*Edible Flowers</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Most fruits and vegetables produce blossoms that are both beautiful and delicious. Violas and nasturtiums are popular salad ingredients, but vegetable blooms like beans, okra and squash are also tasty. In the herb bed, grow borage for deep blue star-like blossoms that taste like cucumber or garlic and chives for pink, onion flavor. Perhaps pink and blue <i>can </i>be garden trendy for 2016? </span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">*Watermelon </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Forget those mealy, almost tasteless orbs offered by supermarkets from early fall until late spring. Sure, it's convenient to buy a melon without seeds, but for juicy, sweet flesh that slathers the face, grow an heirloom variety. Recent rumors that the Bradford watermelon, a popular 1800s heirloom, may reappear, spur me to search for seeds, but the Moon and Stars melon, with beautiful dark green skin spotted with yellow orbs and deep red flesh, is an excellent choice for backyard gardens. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-reeGKTsfvS3gspgvmfEmoHo_EKgI3xn0olw7jlEDh8VKQwF97TzQSvqzw8GnZrYqa0czlzKjbp7J94g7b3GUnHS6E2kgB-IiZ1ativ7DV8vsU4aC8saBif9bjwDPceoZMP_Kp2tEoL0/s1600/moon+stars+on+vine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-reeGKTsfvS3gspgvmfEmoHo_EKgI3xn0olw7jlEDh8VKQwF97TzQSvqzw8GnZrYqa0czlzKjbp7J94g7b3GUnHS6E2kgB-IiZ1ativ7DV8vsU4aC8saBif9bjwDPceoZMP_Kp2tEoL0/s320/moon+stars+on+vine.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moon & Stars Watermelons are Distinctive and Delicious</td></tr>
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<b>*Herbs</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Any supermarket shopper who purchases fresh herbs, tiny snippets encased in small plastic packages, has doubtless suffered sticker shock at the price. One of the easiest plants to grow, most herb varieties grow in poor soil and require little water. As long as full sun is available, herb plants produce more than adequate amounts of leaves and blossoms and the excess can be easily dried or frozen for later use. In addition to annuals like basil, plant rosemary, sage, oregano and thyme for year-round harvest. For our area, rosemary is a particularly satisfying plant since it blooms during cold weather and the dainty blue flowers are a welcome sight in mostly-dormant gardens. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEKZJpSWpnKHC9icJL6evluH4SvTw_Lu2HMUBBEwIt3HOM_8lHpjoNTYHBwYYL1iVJyPcIIMUJRnP0-2NWeiUckoY-2Dr8vPHVTHFpl4K3WHXaOGa_3dvouimeI-GCi1yVOg0GGEDYys/s1600/borage+blossom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEKZJpSWpnKHC9icJL6evluH4SvTw_Lu2HMUBBEwIt3HOM_8lHpjoNTYHBwYYL1iVJyPcIIMUJRnP0-2NWeiUckoY-2Dr8vPHVTHFpl4K3WHXaOGa_3dvouimeI-GCi1yVOg0GGEDYys/s320/borage+blossom.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Borage is a perfect container plant</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> *Greens</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, King Kale has enjoyed a long reign as the most popular green, with good reason, but other greens, with delightful flavor and nutritional punch, deserve space in the 2016 garden. Bok Choy, Malabar Spinach and Mache are good choices and Arugula, or Rocket, as the Brits know it, is a hardy salad green that produces abundant leaves, creamy blossoms and seeds that are also delicious. The flavor of home-grown arugula is far superior to supermarket wares, as are all fresh greens. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DDWLyjOLh-PuD08uCAOqDGY0Za8bkDZBVeIBZcenXLyMnQI_nFUpPoxyrxmOK-w0hP5QJVLwju2fjZSSn20y1CxNpzOD76a3GdbzDxpsB4zqFqEJJNhf6ojvXQr_6r5LbNcFKEPsNX4/s1600/bok+choy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DDWLyjOLh-PuD08uCAOqDGY0Za8bkDZBVeIBZcenXLyMnQI_nFUpPoxyrxmOK-w0hP5QJVLwju2fjZSSn20y1CxNpzOD76a3GdbzDxpsB4zqFqEJJNhf6ojvXQr_6r5LbNcFKEPsNX4/s320/bok+choy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Move over, Kale, and make room for Bok Choy</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*Popcorn</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Industrially processed popcorn receives a great deal of negative press, but for those who crave a salty crunch and rich flavor, try growing an heirloom variety. Cherokee Long Ear boasts beautifully colored kernels and was an abundant producer in my 2015 garden. Strawberry, Dakota Black and Dynamite are other good choices<b>. Note: </b>Popcorn will "cross" with other corn varieties, so plant popcorn after sweet corn ears form or separate plantings for best results. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s-jfBTLcGpsH2phZnptV6RRwt-FzaLLNKyvz3V-gVc_eej_Ddk54r2xiKlaMfRJjK2q_gFTcJDgGKeNgG65nDFb8_Oo6pVvwI7qztJ2T_j7i4_YK37fpQ8ktQ8y3Y-lo_XP8GrA2AOQ/s1600/popcorn+ears+color.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s-jfBTLcGpsH2phZnptV6RRwt-FzaLLNKyvz3V-gVc_eej_Ddk54r2xiKlaMfRJjK2q_gFTcJDgGKeNgG65nDFb8_Oo6pVvwI7qztJ2T_j7i4_YK37fpQ8ktQ8y3Y-lo_XP8GrA2AOQ/s320/popcorn+ears+color.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allow popcorn ears to dry before harvest</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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For 2016 and beyond, Happy Gardening!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-55229286432335399112015-12-24T23:11:00.001-05:002015-12-24T23:11:41.204-05:00A Special Gift<span style="font-size: large;">There's something about a handwritten recipe. I wrote about my grandmother's handwritten recipes in a seedtales blog, <a href="http://seedtales.com/?p=436">Bamboo Pickles, Family Recipes and Friendship</a> and many readers contacted me to express love for handwritten recipes. Perhaps it is a visceral connection to favorite foods or maybe, in today's digital world, we appreciate the time and effort it takes to write by hand, but for some reason, handwritten recipes become treasured talismans for a lot of us home cooks. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlK2Ua5TQUN9ie4IjuPvC4jnfBaRWcRfMDRuZ7z0PczbjeHnLoQCxJxMElIYb30KkL_1KHF1oQkvN7NSRhNfR6WBh9G1IlJpuWq8wNUgkgXEty-8pDMK4Ceg8BzRHvnKi4iTk4-uG0d8/s1600/grannysrecipes-300x224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlK2Ua5TQUN9ie4IjuPvC4jnfBaRWcRfMDRuZ7z0PczbjeHnLoQCxJxMElIYb30KkL_1KHF1oQkvN7NSRhNfR6WBh9G1IlJpuWq8wNUgkgXEty-8pDMK4Ceg8BzRHvnKi4iTk4-uG0d8/s1600/grannysrecipes-300x224.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandmother gave me her collection of recipes before she died</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My home really should be better organized by now; after all, I retired from my public school educator job over four years ago. There is really no excuse for storing boxes that have remained unopened for years. Recently, I entered Purge Mode and tossed, donated and sorted an area I neglected for too long. It was there I discovered treasure. . . <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj3abkwopWPO-sGkq0KAIfVQenxflV0GYxa9HwINBTH6HNFnHf41tm_e_9xD1TGDk97gibOihxwL43A1A4yx65sZmBhkJl51g3i2MWRwWF_6pG4-WrmTaHMc1OJjJ18_LyaLFmM7Ouqw/s1600/Nan%2527s+Vidalia+Onion+Pie+Recipe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj3abkwopWPO-sGkq0KAIfVQenxflV0GYxa9HwINBTH6HNFnHf41tm_e_9xD1TGDk97gibOihxwL43A1A4yx65sZmBhkJl51g3i2MWRwWF_6pG4-WrmTaHMc1OJjJ18_LyaLFmM7Ouqw/s320/Nan%2527s+Vidalia+Onion+Pie+Recipe.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handwritten Recipes, Including Vidalia Onion Pie</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Not the kind of treasure most people would value, this envelope filled with recipes, many handwritten, enticed me to abandon my cleaning project and read. When I unfolded a thin, yellowed sheet of paper, spotted with what looked to be cooking oil, I sighed. It was my sister-in-law's prized Vidalia Onion Pie recipe and it was recorded in her handwriting.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqv1shXRoXdFJR_zB7LQBE-cLQSM3CY7NeUL-ykjLizIYf9H6VKwza1dnXA-IbxsvbYFVwqD6ra8AjW4Un7_CSyi_sA_EOGD8WMunVIboZPKXcvRdMGwRZPJHfopImhQ1r1tAudpdZfCA/s1600/Nan+with+Clark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqv1shXRoXdFJR_zB7LQBE-cLQSM3CY7NeUL-ykjLizIYf9H6VKwza1dnXA-IbxsvbYFVwqD6ra8AjW4Un7_CSyi_sA_EOGD8WMunVIboZPKXcvRdMGwRZPJHfopImhQ1r1tAudpdZfCA/s320/Nan+with+Clark.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nan with Clark</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Nancy Barlowe Ingram, Nan, to those who knew and loved her, was the mastermind behind hunting for pirate treasure at the coast, organizing Easter egg hunts and packing for hundreds of Sunday afternoon picnics at Price Park, in Blowing Rock. A beloved kindergarten teacher, Nan knew how to make any activity fun and exciting and when she died, at age 43, her death left a void in our family gatherings. Although Nan created many delicious dishes, her Vidalia Onion Pie was the family favorite and we always include it in the annual Thanksgiving celebration. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I saw the recipe, I immediately knew who should have it. My son, Clark, frequently names Aunt Nancy's Vidalia Onion Pie as his favorite Thanksgiving dish and since he became the official host for a large gathering of friends and family for that holiday, it is only fitting he should own the recipe. Encased in a shadowbox, in case he wants to hold it, the recipe is wrapped and lying beneath my Christmas tree. By the time he reads this, Clark will have opened the gift and I know it will be one he loves.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My holiday wish for each reader is that you are able to share a special gift with someone. Whether it is something you make with your own hands, purchase at a store or includes that most valuable commodity of time shared, I hope your gift is as precious to you as to the one who receives it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-81876856537642450502015-12-22T14:23:00.000-05:002015-12-22T14:23:12.463-05:00Pass the Black Peanuts <span style="font-size: large;">As the year draws to a close, it is a good time to reflect about gardening successes and failures. 2015's heirloom tomato crop was abundant at Heart & Sole Gardens, but the potato harvest was poor. Peppers produced well, but deer and groundhogs ate more okra than we did. Fortunately, one special plant thrived and generated enough seeds to share with other NC farmers. Let's hear that cheer for black peanuts, also known as the North Carolina Peanut!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBI6lnR_1N09KIPBsresWvXRCCktwuRf4tC1SBUtpR4Cb-_0x9uNr_aeECdgFVKu63lQGNAdWnJG1tKxXF_VW-dbWO-PPH_hlM1AHMomVD33eDb0TllXDMZj8TyHeFVJZ1krVfUtAHroM/s1600/black+peanut+emerging.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBI6lnR_1N09KIPBsresWvXRCCktwuRf4tC1SBUtpR4Cb-_0x9uNr_aeECdgFVKu63lQGNAdWnJG1tKxXF_VW-dbWO-PPH_hlM1AHMomVD33eDb0TllXDMZj8TyHeFVJZ1krVfUtAHroM/s320/black+peanut+emerging.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The North Carolina Black Peanut germinates quickly</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It is not often we receive an opportunity to revive an agriculture crop. With chemical companies' seed wares dominating the shelves of most big box stores, savvy gardeners rely on local businesses, like Renfrow Hardware, in Matthews, NC, or online resources to supply heirloom seed. Fortunately, my cousin, Ruth Bolick, saved black peanut seeds for about thirty years and, this spring, she shared some with me. For more of that story, see the earlier blog: <a href="http://heartandsolefood.blogspot.com/2015/04/heirloom-seeds-by-mail.html">Heirloom Seeds by Mail</a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47ipYxYRcpVHgVI7GN6PysudflztysDKpL_xmcakbyM6cIjFW0ZxZQRVPwGmestZnRDWJJJjanuTuWFz0Sc8FP_mmD5OyOqna-JIaFoll2OOsf48YY_SrB9adtJKnTJ71mg-EiPHQfzo/s1600/may+peanuts+coolie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47ipYxYRcpVHgVI7GN6PysudflztysDKpL_xmcakbyM6cIjFW0ZxZQRVPwGmestZnRDWJJJjanuTuWFz0Sc8FP_mmD5OyOqna-JIaFoll2OOsf48YY_SrB9adtJKnTJ71mg-EiPHQfzo/s320/may+peanuts+coolie.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard prepares a row for 25 Black Peanut seeds</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That earlier blog post served as an introduction to Gordon Schronce, a lifelong Iron Station gardener who provides seeds, including the Carolina Black Peanut, to <a href="https://www.southernexposure.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&zenid=HPGWV0kEGngb2bjx6J7mD2&keyword=carolina+peanut">Southern Exposure Seed Exchange</a> Gordon's son, Arty, writes a lovely gardening blog for The Georgia Department of Agriculture and, for souls who long for spring planting season, a visit to <a href="http://agr.georgia.gov/is-anyone-growing-black-peanuts.aspx">Arty's Garden </a>is a pleasant way to survive cold winter days. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NUbC1fZZsfg9A_ODvP7wZwA9P0sr5yd3uBeiuhv6AublpmpQVijUkhzhqZpiNCY09kbSSfHxhsz19ss2GYArSNan1aJQs6F5270tBC3vEqvi8RShEqiiRW3_31q-anEGi3eoFmdHkgs/s1600/peanuts+drying+dining+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NUbC1fZZsfg9A_ODvP7wZwA9P0sr5yd3uBeiuhv6AublpmpQVijUkhzhqZpiNCY09kbSSfHxhsz19ss2GYArSNan1aJQs6F5270tBC3vEqvi8RShEqiiRW3_31q-anEGi3eoFmdHkgs/s320/peanuts+drying+dining+room.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Peanuts drying in my dining room</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On May 16th, Richard and I planted 25 Black Peanut seeds at H&S. For insurance, I also planted a few in containers at my home, in case pests attacked the farm plants. After quickly germinating and thriving throughout the summer, the peanut plants were ready for harvest in early October. I spread them on a large outside table to dry, but I forgot about the Titmouse bird and how he loves peanuts more than any other food. When I saw that tiny winged creature attacking the harvest, I moved the peanuts to my dining room where they safely remained for a few weeks. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHV2PYD0F0x709xUSiVKTNrgebkHfOboENCiLa3vrEFRDJdziZiWnw-4ys7NWC6QRBDQ2hIGkEmvTv3CpOijMKjct49WIThwCslcXamr1xTGbYQHv1XMXvijURKpR_-BqUrL4TML5yLM/s1600/Black+Peanuts+raw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHV2PYD0F0x709xUSiVKTNrgebkHfOboENCiLa3vrEFRDJdziZiWnw-4ys7NWC6QRBDQ2hIGkEmvTv3CpOijMKjct49WIThwCslcXamr1xTGbYQHv1XMXvijURKpR_-BqUrL4TML5yLM/s320/Black+Peanuts+raw.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inferior for seed, these Black Peanuts are delicious to eat</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Although I planted less than forty Black Peanut seeds, the plants were extremely productive and I sorted the best specimens for next year's seed, saving the remainder to use as food. With only a cup of Black Peanuts, I decided to use a special recipe, a handwritten one from my grandmother, Lora Bolick Minton. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9EbS611R3-1ODJJW2c7D907DcxywVi_Q-OvdmKUkl4D2ADFnnjXN7apfAEqsVco6WNqbqlWcykAJNZNrqfp9BQ_X5Nla4dFArhF4WZHFAinarZA8jv3slOBwSjyb3GC-UZCykQk7rDQ/s1600/Grannys+peanut+recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9EbS611R3-1ODJJW2c7D907DcxywVi_Q-OvdmKUkl4D2ADFnnjXN7apfAEqsVco6WNqbqlWcykAJNZNrqfp9BQ_X5Nla4dFArhF4WZHFAinarZA8jv3slOBwSjyb3GC-UZCykQk7rDQ/s320/Grannys+peanut+recipe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny's Recipe for Sugar-Coated Peanuts</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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After dissolving 1/4 cup sugar in 1/2 cup water over low heat, I added peanuts and stirred the mixture until the syrup coated the peanuts, leaving no liquid in the pot. Pouring the mixture on a parchment paper lined jelly roll pan, the peanuts baked for 30 minutes in a 300 degree oven, with a good stir every five minutes. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jrswvqHjKLyiWQUaVF9flrgvblCXOXmyGN9Z5sX8w_pWyqtrd1lbgwDgK5fgw0Ja6I9GVQVJPTo28q5hk69wbSy4eVrT6vE9qRRqlHVyvM4ITo578EA8zPtgC1xomOtG_vdVRXqsIes/s1600/black+peanuts+in+pot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jrswvqHjKLyiWQUaVF9flrgvblCXOXmyGN9Z5sX8w_pWyqtrd1lbgwDgK5fgw0Ja6I9GVQVJPTo28q5hk69wbSy4eVrT6vE9qRRqlHVyvM4ITo578EA8zPtgC1xomOtG_vdVRXqsIes/s320/black+peanuts+in+pot.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Peanuts in syrup look like blueberries</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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In this season of sharing, the candied Black Peanuts will go to Ruth, a small token of how special her seed gift was. As for the seeds, after reserving some for Heart & Sole's 2016 season, the rest will go to local farmers like Shelby's Jamie Swofford, Concord's Brad Hinckley and others. A limited amount is also available at Renfrow Hardware, in Matthews. With a concerted effort, perhaps the North Carolina Peanut will be available at local farmer's markets next fall and we can all celebrate this delicious flavor. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3h_6L0eJZTo7NFM2ZVPfks15nUq5Zv0DtJESGSpmTbcUmkeMoDWmKK4RLbpxCDHhmuxFe0kgyOevMXRhH9rhJdToygKpU1UtErDytvHZRbuyA_n5o4Hsxv-ROPl1B3FGDJh34FCZwlE/s1600/Candied+Black+Peanuts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3h_6L0eJZTo7NFM2ZVPfks15nUq5Zv0DtJESGSpmTbcUmkeMoDWmKK4RLbpxCDHhmuxFe0kgyOevMXRhH9rhJdToygKpU1UtErDytvHZRbuyA_n5o4Hsxv-ROPl1B3FGDJh34FCZwlE/s320/Candied+Black+Peanuts.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candied Black Peanuts</td></tr>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-27488046447844889182015-12-12T11:30:00.000-05:002015-12-12T11:30:45.677-05:00The Sexy Garden<span style="font-size: large;">"YOO-Hoo!" "Over here, Big Guy!" "Look what I have!" The catcalls are almost audible to human ears. I am pretty sure I once heard a Mae West impersonator say, "Is that a pistil in your pocket?" For those too young to know Mae West, Google her. For those who think "pistil" is misspelled, read on. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht56eMJOP6Qc8Hlm4RVdBtfOrg4McLlW2kYmZHjLoXSTKu3BhC-eEJX1Oh2BS5dTiF8vHxKAwCk5uhMNS32Hf6mUEgYiR-4Kx0nScBl3Dw5lOBmRXp3gEFqMI2KQX6Zy2jJak8lnZOYOc/s1600/Squash+bee+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht56eMJOP6Qc8Hlm4RVdBtfOrg4McLlW2kYmZHjLoXSTKu3BhC-eEJX1Oh2BS5dTiF8vHxKAwCk5uhMNS32Hf6mUEgYiR-4Kx0nScBl3Dw5lOBmRXp3gEFqMI2KQX6Zy2jJak8lnZOYOc/s320/Squash+bee+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working bee kicks smaller pollinator away from the pistil</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Humans seem to think we have a monopoly on sex and maybe that is because it is a bit unnerving to think of food as being someone's offspring. Not just animals we eat, but plants we consume are results of a sexual act. Fruits and vegetables, rooted to the ground and unable to move, depend upon help to procreate and their efforts to entice pollinators can be pretty blatant. Take summer squash, for example . . . <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgCZe1VjHI02Bavx_lbs52T9tfU3nadBLlhyphenhyphenr-Avqo61OevF53kEZKpU6U8k_AVxVlWTqS2idTsQIVrMqGrZB75mUZRTRfqvDoDdy9hDSFG0hCm1T1Egpq0v6NEim-NiZcqRJN9GZOJ0/s1600/Squash+female+blossom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgCZe1VjHI02Bavx_lbs52T9tfU3nadBLlhyphenhyphenr-Avqo61OevF53kEZKpU6U8k_AVxVlWTqS2idTsQIVrMqGrZB75mUZRTRfqvDoDdy9hDSFG0hCm1T1Egpq0v6NEim-NiZcqRJN9GZOJ0/s320/Squash+female+blossom.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female squash blossom, inspiration for artists</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cucurbit family members, including summer squash, cucumbers, gourds, and pumpkins produce beautiful blossoms that attract pollinators to gather pollen. As honeybees, squash bees and other winged insects travel from male to female blossoms, the plant receives help it needs to set fruit. Male squash blossoms boast a smaller stamen, or pistil, than females and only female blossoms produce fruit. Fully mature squash contain seeds that produce plants the following year, completing a generational life cycle. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdENgx-_9GFeBAGnRpJQq_gJQRf8Bx_KvE8g7dXRntiIbNnKVmVrarG9WEdw5JMGXiqKj2FbGfQ1_THAlZDOMElA9f4oMW_icP_qXJf0jiknGl0K-PK3y1a07Sk_I_KSPd8xdHuw9c-_s/s1600/Twin+squash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdENgx-_9GFeBAGnRpJQq_gJQRf8Bx_KvE8g7dXRntiIbNnKVmVrarG9WEdw5JMGXiqKj2FbGfQ1_THAlZDOMElA9f4oMW_icP_qXJf0jiknGl0K-PK3y1a07Sk_I_KSPd8xdHuw9c-_s/s320/Twin+squash.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Successfully pollinated squash set fruit</td></tr>
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All goes well for heirloom seed savers, unless different Cucurbit species grow in close proximity. You see, Cucurbits will use pollen from other family members, producing offspring in future generations that are unlike the parents. For this reason, gardeners who wish to save "pure" seed only grow a particular Cucurbit species or else separate those promiscuous plants. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGKJzL-i5m3M5Gj_cHhuUvi7zsChVP0Fe3O1feJPwV2LbaMQtG-0ZJkLwswL2-nWLEFqyc6GN9CZCztyDV25LuYKo-7c5Dm9N1nuPMMQ-ot_Kha-vkVd6l-hsehGUI7YV4HhRdAQeU3I/s1600/squash+male+and+female+blooms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGKJzL-i5m3M5Gj_cHhuUvi7zsChVP0Fe3O1feJPwV2LbaMQtG-0ZJkLwswL2-nWLEFqyc6GN9CZCztyDV25LuYKo-7c5Dm9N1nuPMMQ-ot_Kha-vkVd6l-hsehGUI7YV4HhRdAQeU3I/s320/squash+male+and+female+blooms.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male on left produces pollen for the female, right, that yields fruit</td></tr>
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When I inherited my grandmother's heirloom squash seeds, it was like having a part of her back with me when I harvested zucchini, patty pan, crook neck and straight neck varieties. A few years ago, seed catalogs arrived in my mailbox and the breathtakingly beautiful photographs of squash enticed me to try some new seeds. Throwing caution to the wind, in the same field, I planted a colorful menagerie of about twenty different summer squash species. With an abundant harvest, I saved seeds from the best fruit and found, the following year, the new plants produced some of the oddest looking squash I ever saw. The taste was delicious, but there was hardly a single fruit that contained pure traits. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRR9u_OK1sRGQer1S3hzYVbR-XTeAug9D-T75KQZ4C0HslI-jTMLpMGPyGRLUCSpdpXoTgIv2W_y2z-0ghGAofFvEADd0cX3W1RNAShJhtE6y6Y6i-U9ahD4jsvrPPX55pmGHohUueBs/s1600/squash+cross+pollinated.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRR9u_OK1sRGQer1S3hzYVbR-XTeAug9D-T75KQZ4C0HslI-jTMLpMGPyGRLUCSpdpXoTgIv2W_y2z-0ghGAofFvEADd0cX3W1RNAShJhtE6y6Y6i-U9ahD4jsvrPPX55pmGHohUueBs/s320/squash+cross+pollinated.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross-pollinated heirloom squash fruit</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did not plant summer squash at Heart & Sole in 2015. Although I grew some of my grandmother's crook necks at my home, for seed, the entire farm crop generated from those cross-pollinated fruits, left in the field from last year. As I tallied statistics a few weeks ago, I was astounded at the squash results. Volunteer summer squash produced fruit from early June until early October and the total yield was over 600 pounds. Not only were these Crazy Cucurbits fertile, but very successful in their enticement efforts. Mae West would be proud . . .</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosIrxhnxkze33X2ewMb1dHms73C2XiGIdRMnH39SqSkBQhj8KmSmPX9mS8FYz3KvTi-PNtHZuTf7zHZ9EcnbVNr0rR1tzg6CDvEx8nvDbMgqeikysYIBjSy0EV2gsQwvBvMCeFAvn1B0/s1600/squash+crosses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosIrxhnxkze33X2ewMb1dHms73C2XiGIdRMnH39SqSkBQhj8KmSmPX9mS8FYz3KvTi-PNtHZuTf7zHZ9EcnbVNr0rR1tzg6CDvEx8nvDbMgqeikysYIBjSy0EV2gsQwvBvMCeFAvn1B0/s320/squash+crosses.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More examples of cross-pollination</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-80744868083554261212015-12-02T17:42:00.001-05:002015-12-02T17:42:03.620-05:00When Caring for Environment, Individual Actions Matter<span style="font-size: large;">I guess you could say I was complacent. Lulled into a false sense of security. Off guard. Whatever you want to say about my lack of vigilance, suffice to say, I paid a price. On July 22, 2015, despite warning signs I purchased and posted beside the highway that borders my farm, NCDOT workers sprayed herbicide chemicals along the highway guardrails and on plants and trees that border those eight acres. By the time browned foliage and dropping leaves announced plant death, the damage was done. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFagw6j1hJrMJNLnJH38mOWoR0NufJARM7KtmGQ6o8gX_Hxb82fgdB01GrLlsqryhPhRggmK-XDScF2Mik_wF-DniqVnybenTH7Oi0FswLCv-8LUMWVTkhck_XP-gDxqjr4xQgvEXqMKs/s1600/Farm+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFagw6j1hJrMJNLnJH38mOWoR0NufJARM7KtmGQ6o8gX_Hxb82fgdB01GrLlsqryhPhRggmK-XDScF2Mik_wF-DniqVnybenTH7Oi0FswLCv-8LUMWVTkhck_XP-gDxqjr4xQgvEXqMKs/s320/Farm+sign.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In NC, such signs do not legally protect organic farmland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Admittedly, Heart & Sole Gardens is not a formally certified organic farm, but since we generate less than $5000 per year in sales and adhere to strict "organic" guidelines, we can legally claim to use the "O" word when it comes to produce. Also, the spray administered by DOT did not penetrate cultivated fields, nor did it kill any of the plants in the bee buffer area, although that space, designated to attract and provide forage for farm honeybees and other important pollinators, was only a few feet from the targeted spray field. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprayed area is only a few feet from bee buffer</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After taking a few deep breaths, I spoke with a DOT official who arranged to send a supervisor to inspect the affected area and meet with me. As soon as the young man exited his vehicle, he apologized for the "mistake" and promised no future herbicides would be sprayed at the farm. We walked the length of the guardrail and I noticed one of my signs was lying in deep grass, a few feet from where the stakes that used to hold it still stood. Another sign was visible, but turned at an angle, due to a broken stake. The third sign, posted beside the driveway into the farm, was sturdy and clearly visible. The supervisor concluded the workers who administered the chemicals did not see any postings until they reached the last sign. With additional apologies and a pledge to return to the farm later in the week to post a large warning sign, the supervisor left. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farm sign beside entrance did not protect plants</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Upon further investigation, I learned North Carolina has no policy concerning chemical spraying and organic farms. One official told me spraying is a last resort, after grass mowing or shrub trimming methods are not feasible, but that did not seem to be the case at Heart & Sole Gardens. From this experience, I learned, when it comes to protecting farmland, we should be vigilant and take proactive measures to protect valuable resources that provide chemical free food for our families. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crooked sign stands among sprayed plants</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps individual actions are not effective against such devastating environmental blows like Duke Energy's coal ash waste spill into the Dan River, EPA workers' release of toxic wastewater from the Gold King mine in Colorado or any of the other numerous disasters caused by negligent human actions, but it is important for every citizen to attempt to protect our natural resources. When it comes to our state's agriculture, we should work to make sure farmers receive the support they need in order to safely deliver fresh food to our tables and we should implore NC government officials to enact laws that will allow organic farms and state-maintained byways to peacefully coexist. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, about those DOT signs that will protect vegetation from chemical sprays? The ones the nice young DOT supervisor promised to post? As we enter December, several months later, no signs are posted at Heart & Sole Gardens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-84864741391639101542015-11-25T23:18:00.000-05:002015-11-25T23:18:33.541-05:00For Thanksgiving Pies, Skip the Can<span style="font-size: large;">Traveling along I-81 last week, I spied a field of bright orange globes, rowed and ready for final harvest. Destined for a cannery, these pumpkins will star in pies, muffins and other delectable creations. Although they are clearly locally grown, these winter squash lack the visceral connection I have to my own garden pumpkins. For Thanksgiving pie, there is no substitute for my paternal grandmother's heirloom pumpkins and this year's crop is extra-special, produced from seed Maw Hamby saved from one of her last harvests, circa 1993. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 Crop of Maw Hamby's Pumpkins <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Squash Make Beautiful Decorations<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Heirloom gardeners know successful crop production depends upon plant diversity. This year, for example, was a dismal okra and corn year at Heart & Sole, but tomatoes and peppers produced abundantly. Last year, pumpkins vines failed to yield a single mature squash, but this year proved to be one of my most successful pumpkin crops and to know these hefty orbs, with their unique shapes and pale orange colors, are the same fruit that grew in my grandmother's Happy Valley garden, gives me pause to appreciate the connectivity of heirloom seeds and family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My paternal grandmother, Ethel Bolick Hamby, better known as Maw to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, loved traveling, reading and watching baseball. She did not love housecleaning, which she called "Idiot Work," or everyday cooking; however, she was locally famous for a couple of dishes, namely her cast-iron skillet upside-down pineapple cake and a chess-type pumpkin pie, made from her own harvest. For Maw's pumpkin pie recipe, read <a href="http://heartandsolefood.blogspot.com/2014/11/pumpkin-is-personal.html">Pumpkin Is Personal</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recently, as I waited my turn in line at a grocery store check-out, I noticed cans of pumpkin a young woman loaded onto the conveyor belt. "Are you making pie for Thanksgiving?" I asked. She frowned and replied, "I'm not sure what I will do with that. Maybe muffins? Some kind of sweet bread?" I pictured the brown goo inside the can and restrained myself from offering to deliver a <i>real </i>pumpkin to her home. Just like the flavor of heirloom tomatoes trump industrially grown fruits, there is no comparison between a real, heirloom pumpkin, roasted to perfection, and what comes from a grocery store canned product. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Large pumpkins can be daunting for home cooks, but are relatively easy to process and yield an impressive amount of product. For my Thanksgiving pies, I chose a 25 pound pumpkin and used a large chef's knife to cut it into sections. After scooping out seeds to save for next year's planting, I placed the pieces in two large baking dishes with about a half-inch of water. Popped into a hot (425 degree) oven for about an hour, the sections began to collapse and I let them cool before scooping the flesh from the shells. Borrowing a tip from my friend, Angie Rash, I placed the pumpkin in a large salad spinner to allow moisture to drain from the fruit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fresh, roasted heirloom pumpkin is delicious and almost impossible to resist tasting as one processes it. The flesh is bright orange and pleasantly sweet. I freeze 2-cup increments in plastic bags and enjoy it throughout the winter in soups, stews, pies, muffins, etc. After tasting heirloom pumpkin, supermarket products have no appeal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">While preparing a pumpkin for processing, I noticed there was a good bit of usable product under the stem and cut a thin slice to taste. Raw pumpkin? Delicious. That baby kale I just picked? Pumpkin seeds? Sounds like a fall salad to me. . . Look for an heirloom pumpkin for your next culinary adventure. The possibilities are endless and the flavor is extraordinary. That canned stuff? Leave it on the shelf.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Heirloom Pumpkin and Kale Salad</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 cup diced raw pumpkin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tablespoon olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 grinds black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Dash sea salt</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blend ingredients and refrigerate for up to one hour</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fry 2 strips thick bacon, rendering fat, in a large skillet</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Remove bacon and add 4 cups shredded fresh kale to hot grease </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Briefly saute kale until wilted, but still bright green</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Combine kale, pumpkin, 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds and 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles in a large bowl. Serve immediately or refrigerate for cold serving. Crumble bacon on top before serving.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*For vegetarian dish, omit bacon and use olive oil to saute kale. </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-27966090513282272902015-11-19T21:26:00.002-05:002015-11-19T21:26:48.067-05:00Heirloom Seeds Make Thanksgiving Centerpiece a Conversation Piece<span style="font-size: large;">Sandwiched between Halloween's sugar highs and frantic Christmas shopping, Thanksgiving is a holiday that offers quiet reflection as family and friends gather to share food and gratitude. Bare tree branches indicate Winter's arrival and gardeners and farmers breathe a sigh of relief as they proudly take inventory of preserved harvests. Canned tomatoes, beans, squash, peas, pickles, jams, peppers and more line my pantry shelves and many of these ingredients will grace our family's Thanksgiving table, but this year, I decided to include some decorative harvests that will, fingers crossed, produce crops next summer.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">String peppers to dry for culinary purposes or to save seeds for next year's planting</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saving heirloom seeds requires time and space. During the height of summer, my dining room table holds as many plates of drying seeds as I can fit on it, corn hangs from the curtain rods, mature squash (summer and winter) fill the garage and basement and an odd assortment of glasses hold water and seeds atop kitchen counters. No doubt about it, my summer home could easily be mistaken for a Weird Science exhibit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some plants, like okra, dry in the fields and when I cut stalks of okra pods recently, I was inspired by their curled beauty and decided to attempt a centerpiece for the dining room table that would include several varieties of heirloom seeds. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LAkUl2x8zCVZ5ncj8U5hZCiVW_fpFxStH5nbogwuEqwO0VCvaJWtvkHSzR6a2F3JGFa_F6YE9OvB1tjZNult_3ITJs3yk9UEgez4YKGXvGciyoIij9Q2LJtRpSwRUCfagZ6AWnp0EpY/s1600/centerpiece+dough+bowl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LAkUl2x8zCVZ5ncj8U5hZCiVW_fpFxStH5nbogwuEqwO0VCvaJWtvkHSzR6a2F3JGFa_F6YE9OvB1tjZNult_3ITJs3yk9UEgez4YKGXvGciyoIij9Q2LJtRpSwRUCfagZ6AWnp0EpY/s320/centerpiece+dough+bowl.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cracks and Chips Testify to the Age of This Family Dough Bowl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the Thanksgiving table centerpiece, I chose an old wooden dough bowl, its cracks and chips testament to the years it produced homemade biscuits. A block of florist's foam in the center of the bowl proved to be the perfect tool for anchoring okra limbs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next, I added ears of dried Cherokee Long Ear popcorn and Hopi corn, and used the attached shucks to fill in space. I placed summer squash around the edge and tucked in strings of dried peppers. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer squash hold seeds for next year</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some flowering mums from the yard, kept fresh with stems held in place with plastic florist vials of water, completed the project.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxS4nkdOems0wF-jhK0Skup0Hxme3rDgCjtiALAFmulFcEYpU-OszbOdUzS3OdiDaQQrjCGS8vMyW35Tt1d98Ibuh6ip0yi7Hv0uOEMYRvIb8xy68OLGFB3dwrKhR202yEBVnC050gWs/s1600/centerpiece+close+squash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxS4nkdOems0wF-jhK0Skup0Hxme3rDgCjtiALAFmulFcEYpU-OszbOdUzS3OdiDaQQrjCGS8vMyW35Tt1d98Ibuh6ip0yi7Hv0uOEMYRvIb8xy68OLGFB3dwrKhR202yEBVnC050gWs/s320/centerpiece+close+squash.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next Year's Heirloom Crops</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although I love beautiful flower arrangements, I admit I am not talented when it comes to creating centerpieces; however, along with favorite foods, our Thanksgiving feast will include what may be more of a conversation piece than most table decorations. At the very least, it will offer a glimpse of what will (hopefully) grow in next year's garden.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUJlFCGxkebdG7wv0A14Y6vA9Nt8C5T8VuU8ynLQeYEn37kCYriSVPbhxmrhhshdbZDjM52MG4bMhnSatbmwjglT9OEYYEVo-Ni7d6h5p0-Fe563R6LeC57UfE2fOAiYsixgLkHZF7Do/s1600/centerpiece.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUJlFCGxkebdG7wv0A14Y6vA9Nt8C5T8VuU8ynLQeYEn37kCYriSVPbhxmrhhshdbZDjM52MG4bMhnSatbmwjglT9OEYYEVo-Ni7d6h5p0-Fe563R6LeC57UfE2fOAiYsixgLkHZF7Do/s320/centerpiece.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heirloom Seeds Make Thanksgiving Table Conversation Piece</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557074991532109546.post-29188164938084871492015-11-08T11:30:00.001-05:002015-11-08T11:30:49.920-05:00Pop! Goes the Heirloom Corn<span style="font-size: large;">There are probably people who do not enjoy the ritual of popping popcorn. Choosing the right pot, large enough to accommodate popped corn, adding just the right amount of oil and heating it on a stovetop, pouring in the kernels and listening to that satisfying sizzle, covering the pot with a lid and shaking the mixture over a hot eye until the kernels begin to explode, zinging the pot's interior with pings that sound like ricocheting bullets, can be a daunting task for those who relish the convenience of microwave popcorn. But, in my opinion, nothing compares to the flavor of stovetop popcorn, with its unique aroma and salty crunch of hot-from-the-pot kernels. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UQtMWn2YZOu-k0QNU_UtKb5ptwyNG8VO2t0y0X-ujJvvOM2SEz5nY8zyy_W5VaUOPQyoRO4SQVCbG6Npwgw7bg3d6SLXY6LTB2yx6bValjR75mlUPqqI57kyAjWzcGuCs90r4TMN48s/s1600/popcorn+kernels+close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UQtMWn2YZOu-k0QNU_UtKb5ptwyNG8VO2t0y0X-ujJvvOM2SEz5nY8zyy_W5VaUOPQyoRO4SQVCbG6Npwgw7bg3d6SLXY6LTB2yx6bValjR75mlUPqqI57kyAjWzcGuCs90r4TMN48s/s320/popcorn+kernels+close.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherokee Long Ear Popcorn, Beautiful & Delicious</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a child, I looked forward to Sunday evenings. After the busyness of morning church activities, a large midday meal, which our family called dinner, visits with relatives and a light supper, usually comprised of sandwiches my mother prepared from dinner leftovers, my brother and I would settle in front of our black-and-white television.<i> </i>I am not sure how old he was when he became the official family popcorn popper, but for years, Dale served us big bowls of delicious crunchiness, the perfect accompaniment to <i>The Wonderful World of Disney </i>and <i>The Ed Sullivan Show. </i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpJk45E5pscUy5t_oaG7Ov_MqEqMSn-egO6k-qYhgJ7P45k67PLPm357hJ1jrt54SA94LMJ5SKTURlptsriiaT1KjYgL9Ng5eeg_8kzSqnICBA-w-nWpvjMIwTGBt7VdombathWhJ67k/s1600/Popcorn+on+stalk+92415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpJk45E5pscUy5t_oaG7Ov_MqEqMSn-egO6k-qYhgJ7P45k67PLPm357hJ1jrt54SA94LMJ5SKTURlptsriiaT1KjYgL9Ng5eeg_8kzSqnICBA-w-nWpvjMIwTGBt7VdombathWhJ67k/s320/Popcorn+on+stalk+92415.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Productive Popcorn</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Occasionally, Dale scorched the popcorn and my parents complained about the smell, but I secretly loved the taste of burned popcorn. Long before our favorite television shows ended, the popcorn disappeared, leaving only old maids, those kernels that resisted popping, in the bowls. <i> </i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OlH-McrXwgq5tMhoDBZzYquxsxH8o-uMowdlZrmHhjxfzNasehB49Cxlf0t_W0QVhnXxZeg7C9BkkQPUJIMsLRYjTAe57KzLpowM_n8ClbJJUGYr6zesY8IUdAEOOA_lqWcThVPepn4/s1600/Dale+pot+hands.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OlH-McrXwgq5tMhoDBZzYquxsxH8o-uMowdlZrmHhjxfzNasehB49Cxlf0t_W0QVhnXxZeg7C9BkkQPUJIMsLRYjTAe57KzLpowM_n8ClbJJUGYr6zesY8IUdAEOOA_lqWcThVPepn4/s320/Dale+pot+hands.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dale Hamby Holds His Special Popcorn Pot</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When my brother and his wife welcomed sons to their family, my mother presented Dale with her aluminum popcorn pot, the same device he used to make our favorite Sunday evening treat all those years ago. Although he finds it useful for cooking scout camp meals, Dale also pops corn in that pot for his own family. Recently we talked about our shared love of popcorn and I wondered why, rather than purchase supermarket popcorn, I did not try to grow my own. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDhCaQOqWG40AI_lynM3Xgg-HnNs4XevB6QrOHOpR1-cJCVTU6wA7ntRjnkhxrXf9XvKj5BrkOCuGKB29vrs65YF4H_EK8Mfe-5Aa8pp1CNvx88saUNa5n7qFBPDFBze3HcmljFGgnvI/s1600/Popcorn+92415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDhCaQOqWG40AI_lynM3Xgg-HnNs4XevB6QrOHOpR1-cJCVTU6wA7ntRjnkhxrXf9XvKj5BrkOCuGKB29vrs65YF4H_EK8Mfe-5Aa8pp1CNvx88saUNa5n7qFBPDFBze3HcmljFGgnvI/s320/Popcorn+92415.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking for Germination & Maturity</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An heirloom seed catalog enticed me to purchase Cherokee Long Ear popcorn seeds in 2009, but I stored the seeds in my freezer until this year. Farmers do not grow popcorn and sweet corn in close proximity because wind and pollinators will carry pollen from one crop to the other, resulting in corn that is not sweet, as it should be. Ideally, growers plant popcorn a great distance from sweet corn or delay planting one of the varieties until the other has bloomed. On July 1st, when it was obvious my Hopi corn did not produce successfully, I planted colorful Cherokee Long Ear popcorn.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FfaljJX3P98_BA6gOrYR0z_0GfRIwn8Gt562qoToQvEjfgR6qG1EhyphenhyphenTuZdau5rj2sXYGm-02H1ccPaP5JrdpXwMp_gi81Q1HMMth3GrU1zz7ZN02vVhcpltSxS2Ptd_oPAjVEoevoU8/s1600/Popcorn+rows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FfaljJX3P98_BA6gOrYR0z_0GfRIwn8Gt562qoToQvEjfgR6qG1EhyphenhyphenTuZdau5rj2sXYGm-02H1ccPaP5JrdpXwMp_gi81Q1HMMth3GrU1zz7ZN02vVhcpltSxS2Ptd_oPAjVEoevoU8/s320/Popcorn+rows.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Several Years, Cherokee Long Ear Seeds Germinated Well</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since the seeds were several years old, I planted them thickly, but </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">almost every seed germinated and a few weeks later, I thinned seedlings to allow ample growing room. On September 24th, I pulled a few ears to check maturity and found the popcorn to be nicely germinated with rows of beautifully colored kernels. Since popcorn dries on the ear before shelling, I left the majority of the crop standing in the field until early October, when I harvested 74 ears.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIhzhYaRgJmc8r2rWSXuX-YLunzTANgX9Fd8AWqSnhWtYQcpWFGlbsKBhy9gzC5UGOJ1eCkraWPbuXLIms9Z4q4BV3nSRPLlnyRLGHoqjZhXtKkwtBqKmwcmUNQBzu3-qoOZjV8ctRe4/s1600/popcorn+shucked+ears.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIhzhYaRgJmc8r2rWSXuX-YLunzTANgX9Fd8AWqSnhWtYQcpWFGlbsKBhy9gzC5UGOJ1eCkraWPbuXLIms9Z4q4BV3nSRPLlnyRLGHoqjZhXtKkwtBqKmwcmUNQBzu3-qoOZjV8ctRe4/s320/popcorn+shucked+ears.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful Popcorn Cobs Make Great Fire Starters</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the popcorn dried for a few weeks in well-ventilated space, I tested a small amount to be sure the kernels would pop and then shelled the ears. Impressed by the 4 1/2 pound yield and the delicious flavor, I vowed to grow Cherokee Long Ear every year. Now that I have plenty of seeds to plant next year and enough to share, I wonder if I can entice my brother to pull out his special popcorn pot? If he scorches the Cherokee Long Ear, I will not complain. Heck, I'll even rent a couple of old Disney movies to sweeten the deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you love popcorn and want to enjoy a special treat, seek out heirloom varieties at local farmer's markets or plan to grow your own next year. I use the following ingredients to add flavor to popped corn, but the instructions for popping are Dale's recipe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dale's Sunday Evening Popcorn</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In a large pot with a long handle and covered lid, add about 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Heat over medium high heat until oil coats bottom of pot. Add 2 ounces popcorn kernels and shake pot to combine kernels and oil. Place lid on pot. Shake vigorously over heat until kernels begin to pop. Continue shaking pop to allow unpopped kernels to settle to bottom. To avoid scorching, do not allow popcorn to sit idle while popping. (Unless you like it that way!) Occasionally, slightly move the lid to one side to allow a bit of air to enter the pot. This helps more kernels to pop successfully, but take care to prevent popping kernels from escaping the pot. When popping slows, remove the pot from heat and pour popcorn into serving bowls. Add a light sprinkling of salt and enjoy.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-jNKYUvPBubQx8z0wkDIZVQ34S_JEkbRZVM3nDdK7Q7DoGIhXJhHisIbME-HrBP8ar8DfOStccRyot4R-oqOpLW66S_2X0qEgHbBkit1edNwsc6Myxw2tmdXgEGqP71O6iFuATz9Fkk/s1600/popcornherbs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-jNKYUvPBubQx8z0wkDIZVQ34S_JEkbRZVM3nDdK7Q7DoGIhXJhHisIbME-HrBP8ar8DfOStccRyot4R-oqOpLW66S_2X0qEgHbBkit1edNwsc6Myxw2tmdXgEGqP71O6iFuATz9Fkk/s320/popcornherbs.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Fresh Herbs Add Flavor and Nutritional Punch</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fresh Herb Topping</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Snip a combination of fresh herbs you enjoy. I use basil, thyme, rosemary, borage, oregano, parsley, chives and sage. Strip the leaves from woody stems like thyme and rosemary. Using a large chef's knife, chop herbs until they are finely chopped and combined. Yield should be about 2 tablespoons. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In a small bowl, combine herbs with about 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Toss hot popcorn with herb mixture and serve immediately.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cheesy Pepper Topping</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Toss hot popcorn with about 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese to combine. Top with a light sprinkling of red pepper flakes. Serve and enjoy.<b> </b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb topping on left, Cheesy Pepper on Right</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337982784775971910noreply@blogger.com3